No matter what the 2020-2021 school year looks like, teachers and students in the elementary stream will have to learn a new math curriculum.
The existing program hasn’t changed in 15 years.
Premier Doug Ford says the revamped course will meet current needs and demands and is designed to reverse a decade of declining math scores.
Ford says there will be a heavy emphasis on financial literacy.
“Starting in Grade 4 students will learn about saving and spending. From Grade 5 they’ll start learning how to budget. From Grade 6 onwards they’ll understand financial planning.”
Ford adds “For the first time ever in Canada students from Grades 1 to 8 will learn coding as part of the curriculum.”
He says “Starting in September parents can look forward to a Math curriculum that not only goes back to basics but equips our next generation of leaders and community builders with the Math skills they need to build a brighter future for all of us.”
Ford says the changes were made following 2 years of comprehensive feedback from students, families, teachers and educators.
The government is expecting a smooth transition despite COVID-19 uncertainty.
2019 Math tests revealed 58% of Grade 3, 48% of Grade 6 and 44% of Grade 9 students in the applied courses were meeting provincial standards.
