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Teacher action derails student report cards

Meanwhile, the ETFO teachers' walkout on Wednesday, January 29, has raised safety concerns including the inability to provide the required supervision to students. That means the strike will result in schools being closed
2019 0623 near north district school board logo on wall 1 turl
Near North District School Board will not be issuing report cards.

Parents with students in the Near North School Board won't be seeing their kid's report cards this term.

"​The Near North District School Board’s production of report cards for elementary students relies on the electronic inputting of data by teachers," says Craig Myles, Director of Education.

"While regular assessment practices continue, this term, per job sanctions, elementary teachers are writing and providing marks to their administrators but are not inputting them electronically. After exploring every possible solution, at this time, we are unable to provide parents/guardians with Term One Report Cards for elementary students.

"Marks will also not be provided to families or students at this time. Beyond the logistical challenges, providing marks without comments and context would not be considered fulsome feedback on student achievement of curriculum expectations. As always, parents/guardians can contact their child’s teachers to learn about their child’s progress," Myles explains in a note to parents.

Secondary teachers are inputting student marks electronically but are not writing Report Card comments. Semester One Report Cards will be provided for secondary students, with marks only, by Feb. 11. Grade 12 students’ marks will be submitted to the Ontario College Application Service and to the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre on time so that students’ post-secondary applications will not be negatively impacted.

"We know how important report cards are to families and students, and that marks, learning skills, and teacher comments are valued," adds Myles. "At the same time, Report Cards are not the sole nor are they the most important records of achievement data we have for your child/teen. They are simply one update on progress."

Myles goes on to tell parents "We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding during this challenging time for public education in Ontario."

See: Ford says his patience with teachers' unions will only last for so long

Meanwhile, the ETFO teachers' walkout on Wednesday, January 29, has raised safety concerns including the inability to provide the required supervision to students. That means the strike will result in schools being closed to all elementary students (Grades JK-8) and Grade 7 and 8 students who attend Intermediate/Secondary Schools.

See: Near North targeted for strike Wednesday

"While we understand that this is a challenging time, parents will be required to make alternate arrangements for their children," says Mairghread KnoughtCommunication Officer. " This is a one-day full withdrawal of services, all schools will re-open on Thursday, January 30."

All Early Years Programs; Childcare, School-Aged Programs and Early On Child and Family Centres will remain open. Community Use will run as usual.

MPP Vic Fedeli issued a statement regarding the Near North report cards.

“Yet again, teacher union leaders are risking student success and preventing parents from seeing valuable information about their child’s performance in class. It underscores our government’s insistence that teacher union leaders cancel these strikes that are hurting our kids. And it only strengthens our belief that parents want our government to invest in front-line services, not in compensation and other demands, for some of the highest-paid educators in the country.”


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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