Equitable access. After-school programming is more widely available to give parents and caregivers more flexibility in their childcare needs. Across the school system, private fundraising, based on the financial resources of families and caregivers, has been made unnecessary by an equitable funding system for schools that levels the playing field. The school that children go to is no longer a predictor of future success because all schools have achieved a standard of excellence and support no matter where students live. Alternatives to standardized testing have grown more common, replacing the one-size-fits-all approach that had hindered student success.
Exposure to multiple disciplines. Cuts to education have been restored, with a reinstatement of the requirement for specialist teachers in art and music. We recognize the fundamental importance of arts, languages, humanities, and trades alongside science, technology, engineering, and math. Various pathways are available for all K-12 students to choose classes that align with their interests. Children and youth are exposed to a wide range of possibilities for skill development and career options outside of the pathways to post-secondary degree programs. Post-secondary education, for those who choose it, is tuition-free.
Early childhood learning. Early childhood education is planned to accommodate a variety of learning styles, and there are strong relationships between early childhood educators and community organizations.
Support for educators. At all levels, educators are compensated fairly. Teachers and service providers reflect the demographics of Waterloo Region (i.e. religion, race, gender expression). School environments are safe and have adequate staffing to support students’ learning needs. We have social workers in schools, and educational assistants can offer appropriate individualized support for those students who need it.
A day in the life: impromptu interconnectedness
— Reflection by a roundtable participant
I bike and walk to most of my activities. There are lots of impromptu happenings on the street. Neighbours carry an arts & culture stamp card that encourages them to attend events and support artists (after attending 10 events, you get a coffee and a kitten). Our high schools are not fortresses: instead, the school day is spent visiting local venues, seniors’ residences, and university campuses, making learning a participatory experience where students build strong connections with their neighbourhoods.
Learning embedded in the community. Youth have dedicated space for doing homework outside the home with help from volunteer tutors. Learning opportunities are integrated into community organizations with flexible co-op and volunteer programs at the secondary and post-secondary level. In primary and secondary schools, there are ample opportunities for students to learn relevant life skills such as first aid and CPR, food preparation, and repairing clothes and household items.
Early learning. Access to daycare and early learning is inclusive and accessible in all neighbourhoods. Safety in schools and in childcare spaces looks like properly staffed environments, and sufficient teachers and support staff for every student’s needs. Schools have benefited from the presence of regular child and youth workers as well. We have expanded the number of EarlyON centres, and there are childcare options during the daytime and in the evening for people who work different shifts. Free childcare is available to all who need it.
Adult education. We enjoy a seamless, learner-centred adult education system that provides opportunities to develop new knowledge and skills for career development and for pursuing higher education. Learners are supported in identifying appropriate pathways tailored to their individual needs, including recognizing prior learning and skills outside the formal education system, and tuition-free learning opportunities at universities and colleges.
Education: measurable outcomes
- Attendance rate (by race, income, language, gender, special populations)
- Participation in extracurricular activities, clubs, and student leadership
- Gap in graduation rates and academic achievement (by ethnicity, income, language, disability, and gender)
- Teacher retention and turnover rates
- Staff diversity rates relative to student population
- Post-secondary persistence and completion rates
- Alumni tracking for wage data or employment in field of study
- Family participation in school events, parent-teacher conferences
- Percentage of teachers with certifications or advanced degrees; ongoing professional development hours per educator
- Number of partnerships between K-12 schools and local organizations, businesses, or postsecondary institutions
- Access to multilingual resources and culturally responsive communication
- Ratio of students to educators in public schools [Canadian Index of Wellbeing]
- Number of post-secondary students who stay in Waterloo Region after graduation
- Level of education
One Million Neighbours Waterloo Region 