Private schools are required to begin implementation of the Ministry of Education’s new assessment, evaluation and reporting policy document, Growing Success. This session will outline key policies and messages in the document and will help schools better understand changes in areas such as:

• Assessment as learning, assessment for learning
• Assessment of learning and evaluation
• Learning skills and work habits
• Report card

Presenter: Ms. Beth Lisser Ms. Beth Lisser has been in education for more than 13 years in a variety of roles. She has taught in many secondary schools in Peel, has been an author and consultant for several different textbook publishers and was a Secondary Instructional Resource Teacher responsible for providing professional development both centrally and in schools. Beth is currently on a secondment to York University’s Faculty of Education, teaching preservice Teacher Candidates. Beth attended the Ministry’s initial Growing Success Assessment and Evaluation Symposium and has provided inservice sessions to a variety of stakeholders about the policy document. Beth has an M.Ed and B.Ed from OISE and in 2009, received an Award of Distinction from the Peel District School Board.

2. Changes in Ministry Inspection

The inspection report, along with other documents related to the inspection process have undergone revision. Over lunch, Mr. Tony Di Lena, Coordinator of Private Schools & Attendance will outline the changes that impact the Ministry’s inspection requirements.

Presenter: Mr. Anthony Di Lena Mr. Di Lena is the Coordinator of Private Schools and Attendance for the Ministry of Education. His responsibilities include policy development and oversight of inspection of private schools. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Di Lena was the Manager with the Student Success/Learning to 18 Implementation, for the Ministry.  He has been with the Ministry since 2000 and was directly involved with the Student Success Initiative since its inception in 2003.  During his tenure at the Ministry of Education, he has worked diligently to build bridges with superintendents, principals, guidance counsellors, and teachers, in the interest of establishing strong comprehensive programs that support and enhance school improvement and student achievement. In his current role, he is working to enhance communication between the Ministry and the private school community, with the aim of providing effective direction and advice to this sector.

3. Implications for Practice

The afternoon session will be dedicated to the practical implications of the above changes and revisions. Schools will need to revise assessment and evaluation practices, develop new report cards, and develop policies and procedures for late assignments, plagiarism and cheating. Participants will be provided with templates and real-world recommendations for managing the changes in their schools. In addition, workshop facilitator will guide schools through the new approach Ministry inspectors are taking in observation of classroom lessons.

This is a great opportunity for participants to ask questions and learn how their colleagues are meeting these and other educational challenges. This forum provides an excellent opportunity for networking, sharing of ideas, and learning from each other’s knowledge and experience.

Presenter: Mr. Jim Sebastian Mr. Sebastian completed his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Administration at the University of Toronto. He has 35 years of experience as an educator and administrator, and has an extensive background in Canadian-based education and training programs at the high-school and post-secondary levels. Jim worked as an Education Officer for the Ontario Ministry of Education from 1989 until 2005. He is currently involved in many educational projects in Canada and abroad, including directing and consulting to schools in China and Bangladesh.  Along with Dr. Ronnie Miller, he has been instrumental in the establishment of Professional Development Seminars, with the aim of this forum providing consistent high-quality educational and administrative support to private schools. PDS has evolved into a key service organization provincially, serving the needs of private schools.

Presenter: Dr. Ronnie Miller Ronnie Miller received his M.Ed. in Educational Administration, and Ph.D. in History & Philosophy of Education from the University of Toronto – OISE. Dr. Miller has completed substantial research in the fields of multiculturalism and the teaching of Critical Thinking Skills, has taught history at the High School and University levels, and is the author of two books published by academic presses. Ronnie has substantial experience in the area of private education, including the establishment of the Halton Learning Centre (a registered private school) and its respective high school programs. Over the last 25 years Dr. Miller has been involved with private schools in South Africa, Australia and Canada. In 1997, Dr. Miller gathered a team of educators and administrators, who now provide an array of educational and administrative services to a large number of private schools, as well as First Nation schools.

View the materials for this course

We hope to see you in attendance.