On February 28, 2022, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its Right to Read Inquiry Report. This report examined human rights issues that affect students with reading disabilities. It highlighted the deficits in Ontario’s approach to early reading in regards to curriculum and instruction, reading interventions, accommodations, screening and professional assessments. The end result called for critical changes to Ontario’s approach to early reading as the current system is said to be failing students. The Right to Read inquiry incorporates recommendations to the Ministry of Education on how to better support students so that everyone is given “the right to learn to read”.
The Right to Read Inquiry Report was initially started in October of 2019. With COVID-19 pandemic further disrupting and impacting students ability to read, the Ontario government announced record funding for the 2022-23 school year. The Ontario Learning Recovery Action Plan has been created to outline the support available. The five pillars of this plan include (as taken directly from their website):
- Introducing comprehensive tutoring supports for students through school boards that will also include partnerships with community organizations
- Supporting student resilience and mental well being
- Strengthening numeracy and literacy skills
- Modernizing curriculum and programs to emphasize job and life skills
- Resuming EQAO assessments to measure and assess learning levels.
The government will be investing $26.2 billion dollars into tutoring supports, summer learning and mental heath supports for students. Of that money, $175 million is being invested to expand access to free publicly funded tutoring. This province-wide program began in April 2022 and will continue until December 31, 2022 with the goal to catch students up by January 2023.
Each school board has been designated a certain amount of funding for tutoring. If your child is struggling with reading, or requires additional support or enrichment, reach out to your school to see if you qualify to use this support.
For more information:
https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/right-read-public-inquiry-on-reading-disabilities
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1001623/ontario-launches-largest-tutoring-support-program
