Committee of the Whole: June 3, 2025

The Committee of the Whole Budget for the Ottawa-Carleton District School took place on June 3, 2025, with me as chair. Staff brought forward 2 reports, and a Trustee brought forward a Notice of Motion with 1 recommendation for discussion.

I voted against the Notice of Motion, Relationship with the Ottawa Police Services. During the discussion, I asked the following questions and made the following comments (timestamp 16:50):

• Comments: I am reading the therefore be it resolved clauses, and I am reading this as instructing staff to provide an updated report. We just had a discussion about tying our staff’s hands with motions and with dates, and how it is important to make sure they have the ability to make decisions but also to adjust their timing as needed. Therefore, if they would like to bring a report forward, especially in light of the new information from the province, I totally understand and would welcome that report, but I will not be supporting this motion because I do not want to tie our staff’s hands.

The recommendations were carried.

Staff brought forward Report 25-030 on the Student Learning Update on the Preparation of Students for Future Success for discussion. This report provides updated data and analysis on how well the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is preparing students for future success. It aligns with the Ministry of Education's Student Achievement Plan and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Strategic Plan and focuses on:

1. Credit Accumulation: 82% of Ottawa-Carleton District School Board students are on track to graduate by the end of grade 10, above the 78% provincial average. However, a decrease of 1% from the previous year was noted.
   Students identifying as Indigenous and those with special education needs (excluding gifted) are less likely to be on track.

2. Job Skills Programs Participation (Grade 11 & 12): 15% of students participated in at least one program (SHSM, Dual Credit, or OYAP), though the Ministry reports 8% due to data differences.
   Higher participation among Indigenous, transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse, and special education students; lower for multilingual learners.

3. Graduation Rates: 91% of students who started Grade 9 in 2018 to 2019 graduated within 5 years.
   Disaggregated data shows Indigenous students and students with disabilities graduate at lower rates; East/Southeast/South Asian students perform above average.

4. Senior Math and Science Enrolment: 59% of Grade 11 and 12 students enrolled in senior-level math or science.
   Underrepresentation persists for Indigenous, gender-diverse, multilingual learners, low-income, and special education students.

5. Student Preparedness: 63% of Grade 6, 9, and OSSLT students felt prepared for the next step.
   Lower perceptions of preparedness were found among Indigenous and special education students, and higher among multilingual learners.

Staff brought forward Report 25-031 on the Math Achievement Action Plan for discussion. This report outlines progress on the implementation of the Math Achievement Action Plan for 2024 to 2025, aligned with Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s Strategic Plan and Ministry priorities. The goal is to improve student math outcomes through inclusive, culturally responsive instruction and targeted support. The main highlights of the report include:

1. Professional Learning
   800+ educators participated in 115 sessions
   Focus areas: number sense (elementary) and algebra (secondary).
   Emphasis on hands-on, student-centered learning.
   Educators report greater confidence and shifts toward inclusive, visual, and inquiry-based teaching.

2. Student Achievement and Mindsets
   Grade 3 and 6 students showed strong growth in foundational math skills, particularly in number sense and decimals.
   Grade 9 students improved confidence and marks; 57% increased their mid-to-final term marks.
   Students value peer collaboration, manipulatives, and open problem-solving.

3. Digital Tools
   Knowledgehook supports 25,600 students in 151 schools; strongest usage in Grades 3, 4, and 6.
   Tools like Knowledgehook, Mathia, and MathUp help tailor instruction and involve 2,135 parents.

4. Instructional Coaches
   Team expanded to 14 coaches, supporting 140 classrooms in targeted schools.
   Coaches lead professional learning and co-teach to support inclusive, effective practices.
   Over 245 of 442 initially struggling students showed measurable growth with targeted support.

5. Principal Capacity-Building
   Monthly sessions help principals use data tools to improve instruction and monitor progress.

6. Additional Qualification Courses
   115 educators subsidized to complete Additional Qualification math courses through a partnership with the University of Ottawa.
   Educators report gains in confidence, knowledge, and inclusive teaching methods.

7. Parent Engagement
   Family Math Nights and an online resource hub increase home-school collaboration.
   Parents receive tools to support their children’s math learning and better understand instruction methods.

The priorities for the upcoming 2025 to 2026 year include:

• Ensure consistent use of inclusive math practices across all schools.

• Expand differentiated strategies based on school context and student data.

• Refine assessment tools and increase data-driven teaching.

• Promote system-wide mentorship and collaboration.

Please note, that the opinions expressed here are entirely my own and do not reflect an official position of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board or the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board of Trustees. Please note answers from staff are paraphrased, the recording can be found here if you would like to watch the entire meeting. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me using my contact form here.

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Key links

• Video for the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 3, 2025

• Agenda for the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 3, 2025

  • Notice of Motion, OCDSB Relationship with the Ottawa Police Services

  • Report 25-030, Student Learning Update - Preparation of Students for Future Success

    • Appendix A, Ministry of Education Student Achievement Plan

    • Appendix B, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Priority Learning Plan for 2024 to 2025

    • Appendix C, Preparation of Students for Future Success

    • Appendix D, Pathways-Focused & Experiential Learning Opportunities at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

  • Report 25-031, Math Achievement Action Plan

    • Appendix A, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Math Achievement Action Plan for 2024 to 2025

    • Appendix B, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Numeracy Assessment Tool and Mindset Results