The local president for the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario thinks it's a good idea to have a review of the curriculum.
However, Adelina Cecchin stresses change for change's sake will do more harm than good.
Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today the school curriculum in Ontario will be reviewed with a focus on student achievement in core areas like math after the recent standardized tests — EQAO — showed flat or falling scores.
Cecchin says it's important to have a long-term plan and not knee-jerk reactions.
"We got to get it right," says Cecchin. "We can't be continuing to do these kinds of changes because that means we just start back at square one.
Greater Essex Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.president Adelina Cecchin fields questions at Ask a Teacher event Wednesday. (Photo by Gord Bacon)
Recent EQAO testing shows only half of Grade 6 students met the provincial standard while 62% of Grade 3 students met the standard, a slight drop from last year.
Cecchin says the curriculum outlines a "wholistic" math vision and that may need to be better clarified.
"What does that means from grades K all the way to up to 12 in servicing teachers on that and providing those resources and supports to every teacher so that they implement those strategies successfully in their classroom," says Cecchin.
Cecchin says knee-jerk reactions to standardized tests could do more harm than good.
"We have to be solid on what our vision is, so let's take that time to make sure that we streamline the expectations, that we communicate clearly what is that math vision and that we provide the supports and resources, especially the supports, to equip our teachers so students are setup for success," says Cecchin.
Wynne says her government will begin public consultations to modernize the curriculum particularly in math and what she calls "transferable life skills."
New reports cards in Ontario are set to be rolled out next year meant to better track student development.