OSSTF Opposes Ministry Website's Information Finder

OSSTF/FEESO is supporting People for Education in calling on the Premier to remove the School Information Finder tool from its website.  The Ministry of Education recently added the "School Information Finder" tool at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/sift/

The tool enables the searcher to:"...put any schools that interest you in your school bag.  From there look at any school's information and compare it with others in your school bag."

Comparisons include the percentages of low-income families in a school, students who are new to Canada from non-English speaking countries, and students who receive special education services.  The comparisons provide a superficial picture of how schools are performing and do not provide meaningful information for parents about which school their child should attend.

While the Ministry website claims the School Information Finder is to be used to learn more about publicly funded schools in Ontario, OSSTF/FEESO has serious concerns about the data used on the site. 

 OSSTF/FEESO is encouraging all members to go to the People for Education website at www.peopleforeducation.com  On the homepage you will find information and links to the open letter to the Premier.