Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education Policy

Q&As About the EIE Policy

Draft Religious Accommodation Guidelines

A Statement from the Catholic Bishops on Policy Development with Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

Community
Consultation

Findings of Consultation

TCDSB Board
Minutes-February 15, 2011

TCDSB EIE amendments for August 31
 

PowerPoint Presentation on Draft Documents

Pastoral Ministry to
Young People with
Same-Sex Attraction--Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

News Releases

Equity and Inclusive Education (EIE) Strategy

Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education Policy -- as approved on August 31, 2011

Toronto Catholic District School Board thanks all the students, staff, parents and members of the community who participated in the sessions and/or provided input.

• Questions and Answers about TCDSB's Catholic Equity and Inclusive Education Policy

• Findings of the Consultation on Equity and Inclusive Education

• Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation

‘That they may have life and have it to the full’ (St John) 

In June of 2009 the Ministry of Education released the Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. The aim of the strategy is twofold:  

• All students, parents, and other members of the school community are welcomed and respected.
• Every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of high expectations for learning.  (Ontario, Ministry of Education, 2009. pg 10)

As a Catholic School Board, we embrace these aims since the concept of equity and inclusion is much honoured within our Catholic faith.   

With respect to the Catholic tradition of inclusion, one need only look to the early Church where we learn how St. Paul and others worked to respect different traditions as they created a unified body.  St. Paul, writing to the community in Corinth, says: "Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it.” (1 Corinthians 2:27)  Later in writing to the Romans, St. Paul touches upon the theme of equity when he writes ‘Our gifts differ according to the grace given us' (Roman's 12:6). From these simple phrases  transcribed centuries ago flow our inherited Christian ethos of equity. 

Ultimately,  our aim  through the Equity and Inclusive Education policy and practise is to support an engaging Catholic  learning environment so that all students can feel empowered by what they are learning; supported by the teachers and staff from whom they are learning; and welcome in the environment in which they are learning.  

• Archbishop Thomas Collins--Video Excerpt from Presentation on Equity and Inclusive Education, February 24, 2011

• Text from Archbishop Thomas Collins' Presentation on Equity and Inclusive Education

• Letter from Archbishop Thomas Collins Regarding Consultation, March 2011

• Catholic Schools Help Shape a Better Future--Catholic Register, March 27, 2011

• A Statement from the Catholic Bishops on Policy Development with Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

• Enhancement of Caring for All Students in the Spirit of the Gospel--a Memo from Archbishop Thomas Collins and OCSTA

• Messaging to Support the Enhancement of Caring in Catholic Schools to Address Bullying Related to Sexual Orientation – April 15, 2011
   

• NEW! Pastoral Ministry to Young People with Same-Sex Attraction--Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (June 27, 2011)
   

Source Documents for TCDSB's draft policy:

• Origins of Equity and Inclusive Education in TCDSB

• Scriptural Foundations for Equity and Inclusive Education

• Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations

• A Statement from the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario on Policy Development Associated with Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

• Ontario Education Services Corporation Template Policy Statement on Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

  • Backgrounder on Ontario Education Services Corporation
    The OESC has worked in conjunction with the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association, the Catholic Principals' Council of Ontario, the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association, the Institute for Catholic Education in the development of the Equity and Inclusive Education Policy Template and the Religious Accommodation Guideline Template. The template was used as a source document in formulating TCDSB's draft policy. Following the approval of the draft policy, an implementation guideline will be developed.
     

Ministry of Education Source Documents:

• Government of Ontario Policy Program Memorandum 119--Developing and Implementing Equity and Inclusive Education Policies in Ontario Schools

  • Government of Ontario Memorandum to School Boards regarding Policy Program Memorandum 119

  • Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy

News Releases

Revised Equity and Inclusive Education Policy Approved (September 1, 2011)

TCDSB to Consider Amendments to Equity and Inclusive Education Policy (August 31, 2011)

Toronto Catholic District School Board Invites all Stakeholders in Catholic Education To Participate in Symposium and Consultation On Draft Equity and Inclusive Education Policy And Draft Religious Accommodation Guidelines (April 1, 2011)

Symposium and Consultation On Draft Equity and Inclusive Education Policy and Draft Religious Accommodation Guidelines Postponed Due to Scheduling Issues (March 22, 2011)

TCDSB Invites all Stakeholders in Catholic Education to Participate in Symposium and Consultation On Draft Equity and Inclusive Education Policy and Draft Religious Accommodation Guidelines (March 7, 2011)

Institute for Catholic Education

Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario