Thread by @DrStevenReid

1/15. Here’s a thread on Math in Ontario – are we in crisis? Looking forward to joining Amanda Pheffer on Ontario Today, CBC Radio, Nov 10, 12-1 pm. We examine math scores during the pandemic & peel back the layers to get at the core issues @onthebeat1 @CBCOntarioToday @OISEUofT

2/15. There are better ways to improve math education across Ontario than what is being provided by the Conservatives. Ontario needs evidence-based strategies mapped to a vision and strategic plan to level the playing field.

3/15. #Lecce is weaponizing math as he copies Snobelen’s rulebook by “creating a crisis” to push an agenda. He creates panic in math education by irresponsibly setting up teachers and schools for failure. How? Keep reading…

4/15. #Lecce releases 2020 gr 1-8 math curriculum with new strands & major changes in late June. He demanded the new curriculum be implemented weeks later in Sept, 2020 in the midst of pandemic, while schools’ focus was on keeping folks healthy and safe … keeping them alive.

5/15. The timing of implementing the new math curriculum couldn't be worse. Teachers were forced to enact the curriculum with zero implementation plan and limited support. #Lecce created frustration among teachers & directly caused an incoherent vision of the curriculum across ON

6/15. As the pandemic ramped up, the education system was navigating uncharted waters, planning for evolving learning models, i.e., online, hybrid, in-person. During a historic absence of professional learning, this government imposed a destructive implementation process.

7/15. Deja vu, Conservatives release gr 9 “destreamed” math curriculum in June ’21 for implementation in Sept. ’21. This is not just a curriculum change, this is a significant shift in teaching and learning. Want to view some of our streaming history

https://twitter.com/Jason_To/status/1343626244202622984

8/15. Add salt to wounds in 2021-22, #Lecce demanded school boards participate in EQAO using a new assessment, new format & new math curriculum during unprecedented years of chaos. Requests to postpone the 2020-21 EQAO assessments were ignored.

9/15. EQAO 2021-22 continued, however, came to a halt for days. The unplanned outage came after complaints of student lost work, delays logging in, and issues with connectivity.

10/15. Let’s examine how Lecce weaponizes the data. There is a lot of hype about EQAO’s math scores. But, can we compare the latest 2021-22 math scores when EQAO’s testing format changed significantly, as well as other changes such as the curriculum itself?

11/15. #EQAO’s disclaimer states “Given the substantial changes to the EQAO assessments (e.g., delivery, model), 2018-19 results are provided only as reference points.” Results are incomparable due to 2021-22 tests differing in their design, delivery, format, and framework.

12/15. EQAO released 2018-19 Gr 6 math scores as 48%. By manipulating who is counted in the stats, the 2018-19 Gr 6 scores are now being shown as 50%. Why? To encourage side-by-side comparisons between results that should not be compared due to “substantial changes” #DataMisuse

13/15. Will tutoring funds help? #Lecce is giving up to $250/child to families across ON. How will this play out in the long term? Ineffectively. Why? Because Lecce lacks vision and and actual plan for math education. Our students deserve better!

14/15. Reading the tea leaves … this deployment of tutoring funds is another step toward privatizing education. #Lecce, why direct funds outside of public education, when the support and resources are so desperately needed within public education?

15/15. Dear #Lecce and #Ford, Please value all educational staff with a math strategy that includes long-term funding, prof. learning, resources, and evidence-based strategies. Stop dismantling public education with misinformation and misuse of dollars! #SupportPublicEducation