John Tory worries about your kids' homework

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PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF ONTARIO

************************* Tory and PC education critic Savoline call on McGuinty Liberals to scrap 'no deadline' homework policy TORONTO, ON - Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory and PC education critic Joyce Savoline today called on the McGuinty Liberals to stop encouraging school boards to ban penalties for late assignments.

"The McGuinty Liberals are giving our kids a one-way ticket to Easy Street," said Tory. "This policy does nothing to teach Ontario students about what it takes to succeed in the real world."

Tory made the comments after recent media reports revealed that various school boards across the province have implemented the ministry guideline which does not allow teachers to deduct marks from students who hand in their assignments late.

"There are certain exceptional situations where leniency should be available but it should be up to the discretion of our teachers to make that decision," said Savoline. "It shouldn't be exploited by the McGuinty Liberals as an attempt to prop up slipping student achievement."

In the 2007 election the McGuinty Liberals promised to raise the graduation rate to 85 percent by 2010.

"Not only is this politically motivated, it also sends the wrong message to our kids. The government is essentially telling them that it's okay not to do the work they are being asked to do," said Savoline. "There may be no deadlines or accountability in Dalton McGuinty's world but that's not the way the real world works. It's time for the McGuinty government to give our young people the skills they need to succeed in the future."

Tory said: "This latest responsibility-killer from the McGuinty government is unfair to the kids who actually do their work on time. It undermines everyone from police to parents who are trying hard to encourage kids to follow the rules and be accountable. Dalton McGuinty should finish his homework and make sure our students learn about accountability."

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