Dalton & Dave report on class sizes

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces more students in Sault Ste. Marie are benefiting from smaller class sizes

McGuinty government investments have helped local school boards meet provincial targets

QUEEN"S PARK - Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 students in Sault Ste. Marie classrooms are receiving more individual attention from their teachers David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Our investments in education have helped us decrease class sizes in the primary grades, resulting in greater individual attention in the early years, and ultimately increased success for students throughout their school career,” said Orazietti. “I want to thank parents, teachers, students, principals, support staff and all educators who have partnered with us to make this positive impact in Sault Ste. Marie’s elementary schools.”

Almost 90 percent of primary classes across the province have 20 or fewer students and nearly all classes have 23 or fewer.

In 2008-09 at Algoma District School Board: - 90.1 percent of primary classes have 20 or fewer students

- 100 percent of primary classes have 23 or fewer students.

In 2008-09 at Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board:

- 89.7 percent of primary classes have 20 or fewer students

- 100 percent of primary classes have 23 or fewer students.

Provincial investments have put 5,100 additional teachers in primary classes across Ontario, significantly reducing their size.

“I want to thank everyone who partnered with us to achieve this significant milestone that’s making a positive impact in Ontario’s elementary schools,” said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne. “Smaller class sizes allow for improved teaching and more individual attention which will help our students reach their full potential.”

Parents can check primary class sizes at their local school by using the government’s Class Size Tracker.

The tracker also shows how class sizes have changed since 2003.

Quick facts

- One-quarter of primary classes in 2003 had 25 or more students; today, 100 percent of primary classes have 23 or fewer students

- This year, more than 540,000 primary students are in classes of 20 or fewer, compared to only 166,000 students five years ago.

Learn more

Read the government’s vision for education.

*************************