Building on Ontario’s Plan to Catch Up

My colleagues, Minister Lecce, PA Patrice Barnes and PA Matt Rae announced the next steps of the government’s Plan to Catch Up, helping students get back on track with their studies after two years of disruptions.

Following the release of EQAO results for 2021-22, which are consistent with global trends, it is clear that Ontario students need to remain in-class without interruption, with a special focus on catching up in math, reading and writing. Building on Ontario’s Plan to Catch Up, new initiatives announced today include extending in-school tutoring supports, implementing Ontario’s first reading intervention program for young children and delivering $50M in immediate supports for this school year to improve math performance.

Investments include:

• $25M for math leads in every board and school-based math coaches

• $15M for digital, in-classroom math tools
• $4M for additional training for teachers in math
• $6M for one-on-one virtual tutoring  

The government is also delivering $365M in Catch Up Payments – direct financial relief to parents to help offset costs for additional tutoring supports or supplies and equipment to enhance student learning.  Starting today, parents with school-aged children up to 18 years old can receive $200 per child, while parents with school-aged children with special education needs up to 21 years old can receive $250. While we are ensuring parents receive direct financial relief to best support their kids, the government remains firmly committed to keeping students in class so that students can catch-up.

News Release:

English: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002410/province-takes-action-to-ensure-students-catch-up

French: https://news.ontario.ca/fr/release/1002410/la-province-prend-des-mesures-pour-favoriser-le-rattrapage-des-eleves