Ontario elementary schools will have a new math curriculum in the fall.
The new curriculum being rolled out by the Ford government will include financial literacy, computer coding, and a focus on more fundamental math concepts.
"We're focusing on fundamental math concepts and skills like learning and recalling math facts, including multiplication. Yes, parents, that means memorizing times tables is back for our kids," said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
The new curriculum has been under development for the last two years through consultation with parents, educators, and academics. Lecce said despite the uncertainty in the coming school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no reason to delay rolling out the new curriculum.
"We must take action immediately to improve math scores, we were given a mandate from the people of this province to go back to basics, bring a math curriculum that actually reflects the priorities of the job market," said Lecce "It is not disconnected that we have twice the rate of youth unemployment that there's a 200 per cent debt to income ratio for young people in this province. We've got to do better at the foundations of math, numeracy, financial literacy. These are the things we know we have to do better at. I appreciate the broader challenge around us but we must move forward with these necessary reforms to give hope to these students."
However, the union representing public elementary teachers said now might not be the time to implement a new curriculum, given the COVID-19 pandemic. The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario claimed the government is rushing the changes and should instead phase them in over two years.
“ETFO is not opposed to improvements to the current math curriculum that better prepare students for their futures, however, implementation is going to take time if we’re to do it right,” said ETFO President Sam Hammond. "Educators, students and parents have all grappled with the stressful learning conditions forced on us by the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring, the disparity in accessing learning resources has deepened inequities and had an impact on student learning outcomes that will carry over to the coming school year. Taking care of students and narrowing those gaps must be the priority of educators, which is why the government’s cancellation of EQAO standardized testing this coming year in elementary schools is important. However, more flexibility, time and resources will be needed to effectively implement the new curriculum."
Lecce also announced the government will not be holding any EQAO tests for Grades 3 and 6 for the 2020/2021 school year.