January 2007: Leading Student Achievement: Our Principal Purpose

In January 2007, principals gathered to continue their work in the Leading Student Achievement project. The keynote speaker, Dr. Avis Glaze, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the participants, the workers at the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, the three principals' associations, and Curriculum Services Canada. Dr. Glaze, who is the CEO and Chief Achievement Officer at the Secretariat, highlighted the positive signs of progress achieved thus far in the project, as well as advocating those issues requiring our focus as we move forward with the initiative.

Later in the morning, Dr. Kenneth Leithwood, Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at OISE/UT, outlined what we are beginning to learn from the evaluation of the Leading Student Achievement project. He spoke about how the project can be deemed successful based on the data that has been collected, and made recommendations for the discussion and development that should take place during the next year of the project.

In the afternoon session, Mary Lou Kestell and Kathy Kubota-Zarivnij, Student Achievement Officers at the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat, focused on mathematics instruction and teacher training.

The closing address was delivered by the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. In his address, he talked about his support for the causes of anti-racism, mental health, and the well-being of native youth; aspects of his personal history and major influences in his youth; the dire situation for native peoples in Ontario's north, especially young people; and the initiatives he has undertaken to improve the literacy of aboriginal youth.

Dr. Avis Glaze, Chief Student Achievement Officer of Ontario and CEO, The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

In the video segments below, Dr. Avis Glaze outlines the positive signs of progress, but also points out that there is still much to be done in terms of improved achievement in literacy and numeracy. She notes that equity of outcome will be a major focus in coming years, emphasizing that we must not leave behind those children who do not have the wherewithal of those more fortunate. She then highlights the steps involved in transforming an organization and reviews the key characteristics of a professional learning community.

Dr. Glaze calls upon participants to share with her their feedback on how the Leading Student Achievement project has had an impact on them and their learning environment. She concludes her address by acknowledging the appreciation that has been expressed for the project, and she urges participants to use their political voice to promote an appropriate and effective educational agenda.

Video Segments:

1. Introduction (Length: 3.5 minutes)
2. Improvements in Student Achievement Throughout the Province (Length: 6 minutes)
3. Equity of Outcome (Length: 16 minutes)
4. "New Age" Learners (Length: 2 minutes)
5. Transforming Your Organization (Length: 5 minutes)
6. What's Happening in the System (Length: 11 minutes)
7. Conclusion (Length: 9 minutes)

View Full Video (Length: 54 minutes)

Additional Materials:

1. Study Guide PDF

Kathy Kubota-Zarivnij, Student Achievement Officer, The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

Mary Lou Kestell, Student Achievement Officer, The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

In the video segments below, Mary Lou Kestell and Kathy Kubota-Zarivnij review numeracy professional development as it has occurred in Ontario over the last few years. They explore the characteristics of effective professional learning and discuss job-embedded professional learning strategies to improve mathematics instruction and student learning of mathematics. Participants are asked to do some mathematics collaboratively with colleagues and become familiar with mathematics for teaching. Kestell and Kubota-Zarivnij have participants discuss strategies for teaching and learning mathematics through problem-solving.

Video Segments:

1. Introduction (Length: 3 minutes)
2. What Do Teachers Do When They See a Math Problem? (Length: 3 minutes)
3. The Nature of Mathematics that Teachers Need to Know for Teaching (Length: 16 minutes)
4. How and Why Should Teachers Study Math for Teaching? (Length: 19 minutes)
5. Observing Mathematical Actions (Length: 9 minutes)
6. Provincial Professional Learning Supports (Length: 8 minutes)
7. Models of Job-Embedded Professional Learning (Length: 31 minutes)

View Full Video (Length: 57 minutes)

Additional Materials:

1. Presentation Slides PDF
2. Study Guide PDF

The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario

The Honourable James K. Bartleman rose from humble circumstances in Port Carling, Ontario, to become Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister in 1994. In 2002, he became Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. In the video segments below, the Lieutenant-Governor reminisces about his experiences with principals during his elementary and high school years. He describes his connection with teaching and teachers, his experiences with racism, and the positive impact of reading on the path his life has taken. Discussing his work as Lieutenant-Governor, he focuses on what he has learned about the plight of Aboriginal people in northern Ontario and talks about the initiatives he has undertaken to address their situation.

Video Segments:

1. Introduction (Length: 8 minutes)
2. Autobiography (Length: 11 minutes)
3. The Plight of Aboriginal People in Ontario's Far North (Length: 12 minutes)
4. Mobilizing Civil Society (Length: 13 minutes)

View Full Video (Length: 44 minutes)

Additional Materials:

1. Study Guide PDF