DCDSB is committed to improving student learning and to the provincial priorities of achievement of learning outcomes in core academic skills, including literacy and math. The board is also focused on preparing students for future success beyond secondary school.
Below you will find goals and strategies to support:
Literacy
DCDSB Goal: Improve students’ literacy learning and achievement
- Assess early reading skills for every student in Year 2 Kindergarten to Gr 3 using Acadience Universal Reading Screener by November 30th
- Provide professional learning to educators and administrators around the use of evidence-based resources (e.g., UFLI and Lexia) to support reading intervention and the use of student data
- Deploy Literacy Intervention Teachers for targeted intervention of early readers at priority schools
- Provide professional development to educators to support effective instruction and evaluation practices in support of student learning (e.g., Universal Design for Learning; Assessment and Evaluation strategies)
- Provide resources and tools to assist students in their preparation for the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSST)
- Utilize the “All About Me Portfolio” information to tailor instruction to student interest and style of learning
- Provide professional learning and resources to support the implementation of the new curriculum to elementary educators, including a professional development series for a primary and junior literacy lead at all schools
- Implement a template and structure to guide school leaders through a school-based inquiry cycle to improve student achievement outcomes (e.g., data collection, goal-setting, monitoring, next steps)
- Support educators to implement high-impact instructional strategies in classrooms (e.g., Universal Design for Learning)
Mathematics
DCDSB Goal: Improve students’ math learning and achievement
- DCDSB specialized math educators share their Ministry of Education training and learning with Grade 3, 6, and 9 educators
- Provide professional learning to administrators and educators in math hubs for priority schools
- Numeracy intervention teachers build educator capacity and support student success with targeted intervention in priority schools
- Continued professional learning about high impact instructional strategies in mathematics is provided to all educators (e.g., PD Days; school-based sessions, etc)
- Continued promotion and monitoring of MathUP resource usage by school
- Build capacity in mathematics content knowledge with school administrators, Program Support Teachers, and new teachers (i.e., through the New Teacher Induction Program)
- Provide mathematics learning opportunities for parents through DCDSB Advisory Committees (e.g., Special Education Advisory Committee, Durham Catholic Parent Involvement Committee) and school-based events (e.g., parent math nights)
- Analyze historical math EQAO data, Continuum Based Mathematics (CBM) diagnostic data, and mathematics report card data to identify areas for improvement
- Complete diagnostic assessments with all Grade 3 and 6 students in priority classrooms to identify marker students and areas for improvement
- Support students to develop math skills and content knowledge through access to the digital math tool, MathUP Student
Pathways
DCDSB Goal: Improve graduation rates and preparedness for future success
- Expand community partnerships and opportunities for Project SEARCH student interns to support enhanced employability post-graduation
- Include Intermediate Guidance Teachers in secondary school Student Success Team meetings to provide additional attention and support for individual Grade 9 students who need it
- Include Intermediate Guidance Teachers in board-level Student Success Team meetings (e.g., pathway meetings and initiatives) in order to bring practices and supports to the school-level
- Increase Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) offerings, thereby also expanding student opportunity for Cooperative Education and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship experiences in particular industry sectors
- Provide professional learning to Student Success Teams about the PLAR process to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of outcomes for all students