Background (Preamble):
In January of 2007 the Ministry of Education released a report titled, Ontario First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework that discusses an education strategy for Aboriginal students in Ontario.
The framework includes approaches for schools and school boards that will:
- boost Aboriginal student achievement,
- help close the gap in achievement between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, and
- increase public confidence in publicly funded education.
How the framework will help make a difference
- increasing the number of Aboriginal staff working in school boards,
- improving students' literacy and numeracy skills,
- training teachers in teaching methods that are appropriate for Aboriginal students, and
- encouraging more parents to get involved in their children's education or school.
The goals discussed in the 2007 report on education strategies for Aboriginal children has some excellent recommendations, but these recommendations need to be better implemented, and expanded upon in order to best serve the needs of Aboriginal children in Ontario. Examining the ongoing issues with Aboriginal people and the education system, it is apparent that these goals are not being fully achieved. Some programming has been implemented, but now 5 years later, we need to continue to work on these strategies and achieve these goals.
