THUNDER BAY -- An independent review of the province's student assessment practices kicks off this week with the first of a series of public meetings.
A government announcement said the review will guide the modernization of student assessment, and ensure that assessment and reporting practices are "culturally relevant, measure a wider range of learning, and better reflect student well-being and equity."
It's inviting Thunder Bay-area parents, students, educators, school system leaders and other stakeholders to a meeting on Dec.12.
The review panel will also take feedback online.
It's led by Carol Campbell, an associate professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
The scope of the review includes:
- Large-scale provincial assessments including Education Quality and Accountability Office standardized testing
- Classroom assessments
- Ontario's participation in pan-Canadian and international assessment programs
Teachers' unions, in the past, have argued that EQAO testing for math, reading and writing skills is a costly exercise that fails students because it drives what gets taught in the classroom at the expense of science, history, social studies and the arts.
They have also expressed concern that EQAO results form the basis for the Ministry of Education's School Information Finder, which real estate companies use to rank schools and neighbourhoods.
The Thunder Bay meeting will take place on Dec. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Valhalla Inn.
