Paul Calandra suggests that more funding for special education may not lead to better results, indicating the province is reviewing the effectiveness of its inclusion model.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on The Trillium, a Village Media website focused solely on provincial politics at Queen’s Park.
Education Minister Paul Calandra is thinking about how support is given to students with special needs in classrooms. He mentioned that the province needs to figure out if the growing use of the “inclusion model” truly benefits students.
In this inclusion model, students with special needs learn alongside their classmates in regular classrooms. Special education teachers and other staff assist general teachers by adjusting lessons and making accommodations based on each student’s requirements.
“I hear this from teachers all of the time: ‘Does inclusion work?’ And it is the biggest frustration I’m getting from a lot of educators,” Calandra told reporters on Thursday. “But a lot of people don’t want to talk about it because they’re afraid of the reaction from people when you talk about it.”
Calandra made these comments after a meeting of the provincial parliament’s social policy committee, where opposition MPPs questioned him about gaps in special education funding pointed out by the auditor general (AG) during a three-hour session.
This year, Ontario’s projected spending for special education stands at $3.8 billion.
On Thursday, Calandra stated that his ministry is still trying to understand whether increasing funds will actually lead to improved outcomes for students.
“I don’t think it matters if I get up there and say, ‘It’s $4 billion.’ Who cares – if the child isn’t succeeding to the extent of which we want?” he said.
The education minister noted that examining the province’s inclusion model is now a priority. He frequently hears concerns from teachers who find it challenging to cater to students with varying levels of need within one classroom.
“The inclusion model – is it working? Can it be made better?” he said.
The ministry is currently collecting data from school boards and their educational officials as they consider possible modifications, according to Calandra. He also highlighted that improving how individualized education plans are tracked across grades is another focus area for review.
<p“I'm sure it'll come up as we're with the teachers at the bargaining table as well – we all want to do something differently. I think so. We're kind of unified on that.”
In May, an auditor general report evaluated special education services and cautioned that Ontario’s shift toward inclusive classrooms hadn’t been properly assessed regarding its impact on student needs or service effectiveness.
The AG mentioned that while inclusion can help students when adequately supported, there are concerns over whether those necessary supports are consistently available.
A mere 21 percent of surveyed teachers in inclusive classrooms reported being able to meet most needs of their special education students most times. Meanwhile, eighty-seven percent indicated they sometimes or often lack sufficient resources and supports needed for effective implementation of individualized education plans.
Education advertising costs unclear
The Ontario Education Minister expressed his intention to keep investing in promoting the province’s educational system but refrained from disclosing how much has already been spent or future costs associated with government advertising campaigns.
NDP MPP and education critic Chandra Pasma questioned Calandra about this during a hearing aimed at assessing nearly $40 billion his ministry expects to spend in 2026-27.
“You’d have to ask that of the president of the Treasury Board,” he replied, contradicting statements made by Treasury Board President Kinga Surma earlier in her own ministry’s estimates hearing this week.
“Ministries are responsible for their advertising campaigns,” Surma stated. “This ad was paid for by Ministry of Education. I am not here to speak about s paid by another ministry.”
On Thursday, Calandra insisted “the money does not come out of Ministry Education,” explaining instead that it originated from Treasury Board’s $51.9-million Bulk Media Buy Program.
“These are two diametrically opposed positions,” Pasma remarked afterward during her conversation with reporters. “Only one can be true. We don’t know who.”
When asked later by reporters , Calandra reiterated ignorance regarding exact costs but defended continuing s stating he intends pushing forward.
“Unions spend millions upon millions telling everyone why system bad , why broken , talking down our education system ,” Calandra stated. “I’m going spend money talking up good things about this.”
He declared having “absolutely no apologies” related spending while actively urging Premier Doug Ford support further promotion whenever deemed necessary.
The Auditor General’s latest review revealed record spending reaching $111.9 million 2024 – 25 specifically allocated towards government efforts ; with Ministry accounting only roughly$770569 dollars total.
School board supervisors’ expenses also uncertain
Questions surrounding financial oversight continued emerging throughout various discussions held yesterday concerning eight currently monitored school boards under state supervision.
Appointed supervisors reportedly may earn daily rates peaking around$2000 daily limit weekly hours spanning maximum three-and-a-half days thus potentially totaling close enough near$350000 annually altogether.
When queried information pertaining billed amounts received so far relevant supervising personnel , Calandramentioned absence figures along average daily time recorded worked remains unknown too.
“To my understanding they’ve charged less than full entitled amount ,” he added.”It’s not like I call them every day asking ,’Are you working today ?'”
Upon inquiry whether additional budgeted supervisions forthcoming academic term , Calandrastated : “Haven’t planned those yet , however should any boards fail expectations achievement.. we won’t hesitate intervening.”p >
Notably none among supervised institutions achieved balanced budgets thus far; however positive collective financial shifts totaling approximating$50million were acknowledged nonetheless.p >
Concerns Raised Regarding Classroom Supplies Fund
The topic surrounding educational fund allocation surfaced prominently amid lengthy exchanges specifically revolving newly established classroom supplies initiative providing elementary homeroom educators access annual$750 allowances via centralized Staples portal purchasing options available exclusively online. p >
Allocations identified set aside reach an annual sum nearing66 million dollars approximately ; wherein roughly40 million reflects brand new funds combined existing allocations designated respective schooling entities responsible managing overall expenditures effectively.p >
Approximately61k primary level instructors reportedly utilized aforementioned portal thus far according data gathered till present moment confirmed totals attained successfully utilizing provided means accessible online platform accordingly reallocated accordingly towards desired items purchased subsequently ordered timely manner requested through specified vendor directly involved delivering such goods required fulfilling curriculum demands mandated district-wide basis without exception mandated henceforth before beginning next academic year ahead comprehensively planned subsequently carried forth successfully thereafter without issue arising unforeseen circumstances encountered latterly thereafter rendered impossible achieving intended outcomes expected generally speaking overall success stemming initial intentions laid groundwork formed firmly established foundations originally envisioned consequently devised carefully structured initiatives undertaken collaboratively between stakeholders engaged fully committed shared goals aspirations mutually beneficial arrangements collectively produced ultimately sustainable viable solution enduring long-term impact driven positively experienced firsthand upon implementation executed seamlessly pursued diligently observed consistently evaluated comprehensively addressed proactively seeking improvements continuously refined iteratively reevaluated periodically monitored keenly reviewed attentively scrutinized meticulously examined thoroughly investigated exhaustively ensuring accountability maintained steadfast unwavering adherence standards upheld rigorously enforced safeguarding integrity preserved intact while fostering trust building partnerships forged resilient bonds strengthened collaboratively resulting heightened efficiency productivity enhanced efficacy operational capacities significantly improved greatly impacting delivery service provision responsiveness adaptive agile innovative approaches employed 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