Blog
Articles, tips and guidance surrounding Ottawa education system for all parents.Culture of silence’ creates roadblocks, Toronto Star April 7, 2018
The ‘Code of Silence’ prevails in reporting teachers in the education sector within school boards and unions. Whistleblower protection for all educators must be legislated as part of the Education Act to protect the best interest of students. Bullying in... read moreHow Schools Should Assess Young Children
As published November 11, 2017 – Letters to the Editor, Ottawa Citizen re: Article A few tips on challenges of modern schooling- November 6, 2017 by Mary Ellen Kot How schools should assess young children:... read moreNew Year’s Resolutions for the Ontario College of Teachers
The Ontario College of Teachers is the regulatory body of the teaching profession in Ontario and ensures that qualified professionals teach in Ontario’s publicly funded schools. However, as the largest self-regulating body in Canada it has legislative immunity... read moreHow Education Will Be An Election Issue in 2018
As provincial politics turn to focus on the upcoming election in 2018, Ontarians will be faced with many issues funneled into play by each political party, jockeying for the public’s attention and eventual votes. Education tends to be a silent back bencher but... read moreFree Parent Workshop in Kanata Sept 27, 2016
Join us at Portia Learning Centre in Kanata for a free parent seminar on how to help advocate for a child on the ASD spectrum in schools. See details attached Flyer for Portia... read moreIsn’t public education supposed to be free?
It’s that time of year again when every mom-and-pop-store to big box franchise puts out everything possibly related to school and supplies for returning students. The shopping frenzy to be well equipped is an underlying theme of consumerism matched only by... read moreAdvocating for your child’s needs in school
Join us for a free seminar on Sunday, September 18, 2016 ( 3- 4 pm) in rural Ottawa south to learn how to advocate for your child’s needs in the school system. For parents in the communities of North Gower, Kars, Metcalfe, Manotick, Greely, Vernon, Osgoode an... read moreFree Seminar for Parents of Children with Autism
How to Navigate the School System, September 22, 2016, 7-8 pm location: Thinking in Pictures Educational Services (TIPES) 31 Nadolny Sachs Private, 2nd floor, Ottawa, Ontario Communicating with school personnel Your child’s rights to support for... read moreWhen sticking up for your child hurts your career
The Ontario Ministry of Education promotes good communication between home and school and encourages parents to participate in schools to foster success for their child. However when parents advocate for their child, particularly a special needs child in the schools,... read moreAccess to Special Education in Ontario in a Social Justice Context
Our research identified the following barriers and obstacles to access Special Education:
• Inability to access adequate programming to accommodate for learning disabilities, psychological and mental health factors and other special needs;
• Inability to build and sustain open, responsive, and reciprocal communication between parents and schools;
• Teachers working with special needs children lacked training, understanding and empathy;
• Schools lacked transparency by not presenting parents with the full spectrum of placements and services available to their children;
• Lack of implementation of Individual Education Plans (IEPs); and
• Schools being unable or unwilling to offer the full spectrum of programs and services provided for in their Special Education policies, either due to lack of openness or lack of resources.