From the Ministry of Education, to the School Board, to the School, to the Child and the Family - who is responsible for what?
The Child and the Family
Parents are responsible for sending children to school prepared to learn
Students are responsible for attending school, and for behaving in a respectful manner.
The School
The Principal is the principal teacher who supervises the teaching staff and support staff, oversees the implementation of curriculum and supervises the day-to-day operation of the school.
The Teachers are responsible for delivering the curriculum to the students.
The Support staff (psychologists, social workers, etc.) contributes to the maintenance and administration of the school (caretakers, office staff) and provides professional support services as needed.
The School Council works with the staff and principal to offer advice about issues such as school safety, school improvement plans, and enrichment opportunities and to raise issues of concern to the parent and student community. It is now a law that every school must have a school council.
The School Board
Trustees are elected in municipal (city) elections to oversee the board’s management of the education budget that is allocated by the province. Trustees act as liaisons and advocates for parents and students with board staff.
Committees and councils focus on specific issues that arise in each board and may involve parents in decision-making. eg. Equity, Special Education (SEAC)
Staff and Superintendents are paid employees who run the board and the schools.
Staff Unions sometimes negotiate work conditions in their contracts that may affect student learning (e.g. length of school day or class sizes)
Financial resources are delegated to the boards by the province. There are special grants that each board may be entitled to apply for to increase the basic amount (foundation grant) given to each board, depending on need.
The Ontario Ministry of Education
is given responsibility for education by the federal government (Canada)
the Education Act and other regulations set out the rules by which schools are organized and funded
the funding formula was developed to fund all schools in Ontario equally. Funding is calculated on a per pupil basis with special grants added to address specific needs such as those of remote and rural schools, ESL, special education students etc.
established a Code of Conduct outlining provincial standards of behaviour with mandatory consequences for students who do not comply with these standards. The code applies to all individuals involved in the publicly funded school system.
Curriculum is developed by the province and implemented by boards and teaching staff.
EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) designs and supervises standardized testing for all students in grades 3, 6 and 10.
