Page 12 - Building Bridges to Success for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Students – Developing Policies for Voluntary, Confidential Aboriginal Student Self-Identification: Successful Practices for Ontario School Boards

• Building Bridges to Success for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Students
PILOTING THE DATA COLLECTION PROCESS
In December 2003, the Ministry of Education provided funding to the Northern Ontario Education Leaders (NOEL) to support a pilot project that involved developing a policy for voluntary, confidential Aboriginal student self-identification. As a result of the success of the NOEL pilot project,
six school boards in northwestern Ontario developed a self-identification policy. The ministry also funded a pilot project with the Toronto District School Board for the development of such a policy. With self-identification policies in place, these boards are able to focus their efforts and resources on strategies for improving Aboriginal student achievement and evaluate the success of their efforts over time.
EQAO REPORTING
In March 2006, at the request of the ministry, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) agreed to report on the achievement of Aboriginal students to boards that have a self-identification policy in place. The ministry received support for this arrangement from the Chiefs of Ontario, the Métis Nation of Ontario, and the Ontario Métis and Aboriginal Association. In his memo of March 21, 2006, to Directors of Education, the Assistant Deputy Minister for French-Language Education and Educational Operations encouraged boards to work directly with the EQAO to finalize plans for the separate reporting of results for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students. (see Appendix A).
SUPPORTING ONTARIO SCHOOL BOARDS
The Aboriginal Education Office (AEO) of the Ministry of Education
is dedicated to providing the support school boards need as they develop and implement self-identification policies. It also works to ensure capacity
building with respect to Aboriginal education. School boards are encouraged to contact the AEO for any information or guidance they may require.
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