March 19, 2007

TORONTO — Students in the Eglinton-Lawrence area are set for a fourth year of rising achievement, thanks to the McGuinty government’s significant investment in our schools, MPP Mike Colle announced today.  

For 2007-08, school boards in the Toronto area will receive:

• $2,334,955,807 for Toronto District School Board — an increase of 16.2 % under this government

• $829,808,459  for Toronto Catholic District School Board — an increase of 16.8 % under this government

“Our students are doing better because of our ambitious program of education investment and reform,” said Colle.  “Funding for the next school year reinforces our strategy with new resources and a funding formula that reflects the changing needs of our schools.”

In order for school boards to have more time to plan, the government announced funding as early as possible in the year.  The government's education investment of $18.3 billion in 2007-08 is an increase of $781 million over last year.  Since 2002-03, funding has increased by $3.5 billion — a 24 per cent increase, or the equivalent of a $2,000 increase per student.

 The government’s commitment and investments in education in Ontario’s publicly funded schools are paying off for students:

• Scores are up: Over the last four years, more students in Grades 3 and 6 are doing better at reading, writing and math — their results in provincial tests have improved by 10 percentage points.  As well, more Grade 9 students are meeting the standard on the applied and academic math tests — up 14 and 5 percentage points, respectively.  Furthermore, the number of Grade 10 students passing the literacy test is up 12 percentage points.

• Graduation rates are up: Over the past two years, the rate has increased from 68 to 73 per cent — meaning 12,000 more students now have a diploma and are better prepared for the future.  Early indicators show that more Grade 9 and 10 students are completing all of their courses and are on track to graduate.

• Class sizes are smaller: Almost all students in junior kindergarten to Grade 3 are learning in classes of 23 or fewer students — 65 per cent are in classes of 20 or fewer — and getting more individual attention.

The government has listened to school boards and made changes to education funding that address its needs.  In response, and to continue supporting higher student achievement, new funding will be allocated to support these further changes to the education funding formula.  Highlights include three new grants to provide targeted funding to schools and students identified by our education partners:

• Program Enhancement Grant: to support arts, music, physical education and outdoor education activities that provide students with a well-rounded educational experience

• Supported Schools Allocation: to ensure schools in small communities with low or declining enrolments remain viable

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Supplement: to provide enhanced support for aboriginal students.

 “This government’s record of improving the funding formula means students around the province are getting better support now than they were four years ago,” said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. “Now, our principals, teachers and education workers have more of the tools they need to reach every student and help them to achieve their full potential.”

Since 2003, the McGuinty government has made ten significant improvements to how funding is delivered through the funding formula. Those improvements continue in 2007-08 with the additional three grants and funding for the following:

• 1,900 new primary class size, elementary specialist and student success teachers

• 3 per cent salary increase for all staff

• Additional support for special education

• Additional support for rising transportation and utility costs

• Targeted support for French-language boards

As in previous years, the government will also invest more than $200 million in 2007-08 outside of the grants to support priorities such as safe schools, literacy and numeracy and parent engagement.

“The last four years in Ontario’s publicly funded education system have seen a significant improvement in student outcomes, but we want to go even further,” added Wynne.  “We will continue working with our education partners — teachers, principals, other education staff, school boards, parents and communities — and continue our focus to help all students reach their potential.” 

- 30 -