The York Region District School Board’s decision to scrap first term report cards sparked a backlash today on social media.
In a message to students and families on its website and social media accounts, the board said it has made the decision to not distribute the report cards for elementary school students because teachers’ work-to-rule job action doesn’t allow them to create comments or input grades electronically.
“This decision was made after careful consideration, including a thorough review of the processes, resources and time required to produce accurate term one report cards,” board officials said. “Teachers will be submitting handwritten marks to school administrators, however, the task of providing verified and accurate marks is not feasible.”
The board went on to say that teachers’ electronic submission of grades and the verification of those grades and comments are required to complete the report card process.
Contract negotiations between the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario government have stalled. Local teachers have been following work-to-rule protocols since Nov. 26 2019, and teachers hit the picket line for a one-day strike Jan. 20.
Stephen Lecce, minister of Education, issued a statement in response to the lack of report cards for elementary students: "Yet again, teacher union leaders are risking student success and preventing parents from seeing valuable information about their child's performance in class. It underscores our government's insistence that teacher union leaders cancel these strikes that are hurting our kids. And it only strengthens our belief that parents want our government to invest in front-line services, not in compensation and other demands, for some of the highest-paid educators in the country."
“Why is YRDSB throwing teachers under the bus? (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) OSSTF teachers are generating marks without comments, why can’t you do the same? The union never said reports can’t be distributed … you can print reports without comments you know!” an English teacher with the Toronto board, Lindsay, wrote on Twitter.
More than 20 comments expressed frustration and confusion about the report card cancellation.
Dave Pratikkumar, who replied on Twitter to Douglas Cousens Public School in Markham, the York public board, and the ETFO, asked if teachers will be doing parent-teacher interviews to provide parents with feedback.
“Since teachers have provided grades and comments on paper, why can't school administrators load it in electronic systems?” he said.
A mom of two boys whose Twitter handle is Just Karen, said “I'm not OK with this part of the service withdrawals ... remove comments on reports, fine. But I think students and parents benefit from seeing marks.”
Another Toronto teacher named F. Rabba, weighed in, saying “it is important to note that assessments and evaluations were completed by teachers and a hard copy of the marks was sent to administration. This decision was made by the board, not the union”.
The York public board encourages parents to reach out to their child’s teacher directly for feedback on their progress.
“While report cards are not being distributed, teachers’ assessment and evaluation of student progress will continue throughout the year,” board officials say. “Teachers will continue to communicate with families about their children’s education.”
For students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), these will continue to be updated as per previous practice, the board said.
“I can appreciate that this news is disappointing for you and I thank you for your understanding,” the notice said. “Please be assured this decision was not made lightly and we continue to focus on making decisions in the best interest of student safety and learning.”
The York board isn't alone in its decision; public board elementary students in Toronto, Peel, Niagara and Simcoe are among those who won't be receiving report cards next month either.
