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Actions Our School Board Will Take to Improve

Background

On July 28, 2023, the Ministry of Education released a memorandum communication key regulatory and policy reforms in support of the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023, including a new regulation on provincial priorities in the area of student achievement: 

Boards will utilize data provided by the Ministry of Education to support the development and public reporting of data and board action plans on student achievement. 

Scope and Overview

UGDSB LETGO

The Multi-Year Plan of the Upper Grand District School Board sets forth a focused framework that is fully aligned with the priorities identified in the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act 2023.  Below is the outline of how the UGDSB Multi-Year Plan is realized through the purposeful and intentional actions of the entire system. The vision of the Multi-Year Plan is to be recognized as leaders in creating unparalleled, agile and inclusive learning experiences for all. By achieving the overarching goal to be a provincial leader in educational achievement for all students through high graduation rates, superior results in math and exceptional literacy skills the UGDSB will realize its vision. 

Let’s GO (Goals and Outcomes) UGDSB is a system wide approach that intentionally and methodically breaks down our priorities into ambitious and measurable goals and key outcomes. The goals and outcomes have been determined centrally and are the same for all schools:  

Goal: All students will be meeting grade level expectations in language and math (elementary schools). All students will attain their credits (secondary). 

Outcomes: (1) Identify learning gaps, (2) Intervene to address learning gaps, (3) Monitor attendance, and (4) Intervene to address attendance concerns. 

These goals and outcomes are realized through a 2-week cadence of an “application of actions.” These 2-week moves are designed by school administrators based on school-level data. Applications of action are closely monitored using a plan, act, assess, and reflect framework. Student achievement data is reviewed and analysed quarterly.  

The UGDSB’s outcomes and associated application of actions are directly aligned to the Ministry of Education’s provincial priorities in the area of student achievement: 

 

More specifically, Let’s GO UGDSB specifically targets foundational student skills in literacy (focus on reading), math, credit attainment and attendance. 

Let’s GO UGDSB is further supported by a multi-year investment in additional staff.  

 

These supports are allocated based on both assessment and achievement data, therefore targeting schools who are in the most need of support. In addition, the UGDSB supports “all” students by using common diagnostic tools to identify student areas of need and providing targeted interventions. The monitoring of students with special education needs centrally allows for consistent and aligned support to ensure student growth. 

Integral to student success is the UGDSB work in the area of student engagement and well-being. Collaborative work across the system that seeks student voice and agency is targeting student attendance.  By utilizing multiple points of data, including the WHY survey, we are building a strategic communications plan to make students aware of the mental health supports that are available to them both in school and the community. 

This investment in staff goes beyond the classroom. The UGDSB realizes that learning needs for staff has evolved, and the delivery of professional learning has had to change.  To this end, the UGDSB has created the Innovation Lab, which has become a center for creativity, collaboration and production.  Specifically, producing professional quality videos and virtual learning modules to directly support the UGDSB’s Foundational Education and Achievement goals. Moreover, the Research, Evidence, and Innovation department has been created to measure our progress towards our goals and to better understand our students.  

We have also created a Human Rights, Equity and Accessibility (HREA) office which will assist the UGDSB with identifying trends and systemic barriers to Human Rights and helping build a culture of human rights tied to strategic goals outlined in the UGDSB multi-year plan. The HREA officer mandate is to promote and protect the human rights of students, families, staff, and the broader school community.