OCDSB Exit Outcomes
Exit Outcomes: Characteristics and Skills
Exit outcomes are for
every student
.
In the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, our goal is to have every secondary student leave our school district with the required characteristics and skills to be a 21st-century success story. We have a vast array of programs and services to help meet the needs of each and every student. Our school district has invested significantly in the professionals who work with and support students on a daily basis. We believe that our focus on teaching and learning can assist every student in moving on to post-secondary opportunities of their choice.
Background
As a part of the Secondary School Review, the OCDSB requested input through an outcomes survey on characteristics and skills that students need to succeed after graduation. Input was sought through several stakeholder groups, including trustees, school staff, principals, vice principals, managers, central staff, board advisory committees, students and parents. Overall, there were 343 completed surveys submitted, representing at least 1015 people.
Exit outcomes are directly linked to our strategic plan. The most direct connections are in Objective #1, which states that the district will be on target to reach a 90% graduation rate by 2020. The exit outcomes were developed in alignment with the district’s overarching W.E.L.L. Strategic Plan, and will provide a target for every OCDSB student, regardless of pathway in K-12 or their destination of work, apprenticeship, college, university or community living.
Our intent is to have every student leave our school district with the identified
OCDSB Exit Outcomes Characteristics and Skills.
Characteristics
Our students will be:
Resilient
Globally Aware
Collaborative
Innovative/Creative
Goal-oriented
Skills
Our students will be:
Critical Thinkers
Effective Communicators
Academically Diverse
Digitally Fluent
Students who are resilient face and overcome adversity and challenging situations. They take risks, learn from mistakes, persevere, and move forward confidently.
• Why is it needed?Our students are living and learning in a world full of economic, environmental and social challenges and opportunities. They may have many different careers throughout their lifetime.
• How will we develop it? We will develop resiliency in our students by having high, achievable expectations for their learning, and supporting, guiding and nurturing them through the learning process. We will immerse our students in a variety of authentic learning situations in which they will acquire the skills to adapt to changing conditions.
Resilient
Students who are globally aware are empathetic and responsive in their contributions to the local and global community. They demonstrate cultural proficiency and act in a respectful, inclusive manner.
• Why is it needed?Our students’ world is diverse and competitive, and the required cross-cultural skills are growing in complexity.
• How will we develop it?We will develop global awareness in our students by providing them with related learning opportunities that explore topics such as equity, global economics, cultural proficiency, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and social justice, and by promoting cultures of inclusion.
Globally A
war
e
Collaborative
Students who are collaborative understand the importance of working cooperatively in a team setting. Collaboration values diverse perspectives and effectively utilizes each person’s contributions.
• Why is it needed?Our students are in a world of complex tasks, which requires many minds working together. These tasks exist in our work and in social settings. Our sense of community is aided by our capacity to work collaboratively with others.
• How will we develop it?We will develop collaboration in our students by empowering them to work together with shared purpose, to learn from each other and with each other.
Innovative/
Cr
eative
Students who are innovative and creative have original thoughts and ideas that are of value and are acted upon. They understand that creativity is essential not only for solving problems, but also for improving where strengths already exist.
• Why is it needed?Our students will need to be innovative and creative to develop solutions to complex issues that arise in our fast changing world. Our society has moved from the Industrial Age to the Information Age to the Creativity Age.
• How will we develop it? We will develop creativity in our students by ensuring that the conditions for creativity are in place in all our classrooms and work environments. We will encourage leadership, develop student voice, and cultivate a learning environment in which students are encouraged to explore new experiences and discover new ideas within the framework of the Ontario Curriculum. Students will learn in ways that are engaging, challenging, and meaningful.
Goal-oriented
Students who are goal-oriented have self-motivation, diligence, initiative and a sense of responsibility.
• Why is it needed? Our students will be goal-oriented in their work, knowing that achieving their full potential will help them reach their goals.
• How will we develop it?We will develop goal-oriented students by cultivating effective work habits and learning skills, helping them succeed in challenging yet attainable tasks, and by embedding character development in their daily schoolwork.
Characteristics
Students who are critical thinkers engage in reflective and independent thinking. They identify the relevance, validity and importance of ideas using rational and intuitive processes. They understand the logical connections between ideas. They construct and evaluate arguments using criteria. They generate solutions and create new ways of thinking.
• Why is it needed?Our students will need to solve challenging and complex problems in an ever-changing world.
• How will we develop it? We will develop critical thinking in our students by encouraging them to evaluate current issues from multiple perspectives. Through our district’s focus on highly-effective instructional practices, our students will engage in meaningful learning each and every day.
Critical Thinkers
Students who are effective communicators are skilled at listening, speaking, questioning, and writing; they connect with people and know their audience.
• Why is it needed? The information explosion has increased the importance of communication. Effective communication is critical to meaningful social interaction, which is a requirement for success in learning, work and life.
• How will we develop it? We will develop effective communication in our students by engaging them in interactive, inquiry-based learning activities. Educators will provide students with opportunities to explain their learning to their classmates, using a variety of communications styles and media.
Ef
fective
Communicators
Academically
Diverse
Students who are academically diverse have strong literacy and numeracy skills; they will also have acquired a full spectrum of skills through exposure to a wide range of subjects including the arts, sciences, financial literacy, physical education, the trades and technology, in keeping with student needs.
• Why is it needed? Our students will need academic diversity to connect ideas from different disciplines, and as a foundation to be successful in a wide variety of experiences throughout their lives.
• How will we develop it? We will develop academic diversity in our students by having a strong understanding of their profiles, offering them a wide array of programs, and providing cross-curricular learning opportunities.
Digitally Fluent
Students who are digitally fluent know how to engage with technology to enhance their learning; this includes interacting with, creating and sharing information (individually or collaboratively) in a responsible and ethical way to support their learning.
• Why is it needed?Our students will need a digital fluency that allows them to confidently adapt to new technologies to support their learning and participate in the educational setting most suited to their needs. Addressing these needs will allow our students to access, analyse, critique and communicate in a global, digital world.
• How will we develop it? We will develop digital fluency in our students through their interactions with technology across all courses and grade levels.
Ethical
Decision-makers
Students who are ethical decision makers model principles that govern their decisions through their actions. They embody honesty, respect and responsibility.
• Why is it needed? Our students will need to be ethical to have a foundation for all their decision-making. It will shape their sense of community and citizenship, and the contribution they make to the world around them.
• How will we develop it? We will develop ethics in our students through their studies (i.e.: science, history, social studies and law) and discussions about multi-faceted issues and the principles of human rights and dignity.
Skills
• • • • • • • • • •
Foundations
The foundations of the OCDSB Exit Outcomes are inspired by the
OCDSB Mission Statement and built from three key areas:
Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12, Policy and Program
Requirements (2011)
“The Ontario curriculum outlines the knowledge and skills that students are expected to develop and demonstrate” – page 21, Ontario Schools (2011)
Learning Skills and Work Habits
“The development of learning skills and work habits needed to succeed in school and in life begins early in a child’s schooling. As students move through the grades, they develop and then consolidate their learning skills and work habits in preparation for postsecondary education and the world of work.”
– page 12, Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Skills, Grades 1-12 (2010)
• Responsibility • Independent Work • Initiative
• Organization • Collaboration • Self-regulation
A
cce
ptan
ce
Respect Appreciatio n R e spo n si b ili ty C o op e ra tion P erseve rance Optimism
Fair
ness
B ET T ER TO GE
THER
IN A
SAFE AND CARING LEA RN ING CO M M U N IT Y CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT INTEGRITY EMPATHY
OCDSB Community of Character
As stated in Finding Common Ground: Character Development in Ontario Schools (2008), “Character development is about excellence in education, communities that are vibrant and caring, and students who will think critically, feel deeply and act wisely.” The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s “Community of Character” is a set of attributes that build the foundation for excellence and equity in every child’s education.
ACCEPTANCE: I reach out to include others. I accept others
for who they are. I am gentle with myself and others when mistakes are made.
APPRECIATION:I am grateful for all that I have. I am thankful for the support that others give me. I am generous in recognizing the contributions of others.
COOPERATION: I work with others to make a peaceful community. I am willing to listen to others’ ideas and suggestions. I compromise and negotiate to solve problems and differences of opinion.
EMPATHY:I am compassionate, caring, and kind. I am a true
friend. I will walk in your shoes in order to understand you. I am slow to judge and quick to forgive.
FAIRNESS: I make decisions based upon the whole picture. I treat others the way I would like to be treated. I am just.
INTEGRITY: I behave ethically and honourably. I am honest, loyal, and trustworthy. I am truthful and courageous. I stand up for what is right even when it is hard. I am a person of my word and people who know me understand that.
OPTIMISM: I believe that challenges are opportunities. I
choose to see goodness. I have hope for our future.
PERSEVERANCE: I will work hard and I will not give up. I will finish what I begin and I will not give up. I will care enough and I will not give up.
RESPECT:I honour myself and others through my words and actions. I support our diversity of beliefs. I treat our world and everything in it with dignity.
RESPONSIBILITY:I am accountable for the decisions I
make. I realize that my decisions impact my community. I honour my commitments.
Work
Apprenticeship
College
University
Community
Living
OCDSB
Graduates
• Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD)
• Ontario Secondary
School Certificate
(OSSC)
• Certificate of
Accomplishment
What Pathways are Open to Our Students?
Pathways for Students
• Ontario Secondary
School Diploma (OSSD)
• Ontario Secondary
School Certificate
(OSSC)
• Certificate of
Accomplishment
W
ork
Apprenticeship
College
University
Community
Living
Kindergarten Ontario Curriculum Grade 12
Knowledge and Skills
Learning Skills and Work Habits
Community of Character
SUCC
ESS IN LIFE
Exit Outcomes are for every student
SKILLS
Critic al Th
inkers
• Ef
fective Communicators • Aca
dem
ically Divers
e Digitally
Fluent • Ethical Decision-m
akers
CH
ARAC
TERISTIC
S
Resili
ent •
Globally Aware • Colla
bora
tive
Innova
tive/Creative • Goal-oriente
d
Published by Communications and Information Services in collaboration with the Secondary School Ad Hoc Committee — October 2013
www.ocdsb.ca
133 Greenbank Road Ottawa, ON K2H 6L3 Phone: 613-721-1820
Fax: 613-820-6968
Connecting to Our Strategic Plan
The OCDSB Strategic Plan for 2011-2015 outlines our Vision, Mission and Objectives.
The plan sets priorities to ensure we fulfill our mission of
Educating for Success — Inspiring Learning and Building Citizenship.
1. Promoting student and staff well-being to support their physical, emotional, and mental health;
2. Developing a culture in which all people are welcome and challenged to be creative and contributing members; feel valued and respected, and where the success and creativity of our District is recognized and celebrated;
3. Enhancing leadership and governance capacities and practices that dem-onstrate our District, and its representatives as models of good character and effective community partners; and
4. Improving student achievement through focused instructional practice, effective use of data and strategies that challenge all schools to make significant gains in student achievement no matter where they start. 1. Inspire educational excellence in our schools, which are important
community hubs reflecting local needs;
2. Provide equity of access to programs and pathways for all students;
3. Raise the overall achievement level and close the achievement gap through the equitable allocation of available resources; 4. Implement a comprehensive framework for student well-being;
5. Engage students, staff and parents in the learning process, encouraging the full potential of every student;
6. Provide an inspiring place to work that attracts, retains, nurtures, values, and engages our employees;
7. Model outstanding governance, leadership, and citizenship; and
8. Draw from, and contribute to, the talent and rich diversity of the Ottawa community.
1. The 90% graduation rate goal is on track to be met by, or in advance of the 2020 target.
2. The Board is meeting annual targets for student achievement results established in the Board Improvement Plan, that exceed provincial results, on average, by 5% and reduce the gaps for identified sub-groups.
3. All school Improvement Plans are developed in partnership with the school community and establish targets for student achievement and well-being, in alignment with the Board Improvement Plan and student well-being framework. 4. The District has a framework for student well-being, including measures and indicators of success and attains
annual targets for improvement to services and supports for student well-being.
5. All of our schools have active community partnership programs that support the school as a community hub. 6. Full-day kindergarten is offered in all of our schools, supported by vibrant extended day programs. 7. All students have equitable access to a choice of high-quality programs.
8. The school climate survey results indicate improvement in students’ level of comfort and safety at school. 9. The school district is recognized as a top employer in the community.
10. The District has a clear and commonly understood governance framework and an efficient and effective decision-making process.
4 Key Priority Areas
W.E.L.L.W
E
L
L
WB1. Enhance safe, caring and respectful learning, and working environments.
WB2. Create a framework for student and staff well-being that recognizes the mental, physical, and emotional health of students and staff.
WB3. In collaboration with community partners, develop specific strategies to further the cultural proficiency of the school district in terms of inclusive and accessible practices and a workplace representative of the com-munity we serve.
WB4. Nurture an emotionally intelligent organizational culture that recognizes and supports innovation, productivity and employee wellness.
EN1. Enhance parental engagement and outreach to all parents.
EN2. Create a framework for and initiate effective partner-ships with organizations that enrich our schools as community hubs.
EN3. Encourage broad community engagement in school and District initiatives.
EN4. Develop a strategy that supports and encourages engagement in provincial, national, and international initiatives to encourage organizational learning and global citizenship.
LD1. Implement sound governance structures and practices.
LD2. Develop specific strategies for leadership develop-ment and succession planning with a focus on developing emotionally intelligent leaders who foster innovation, collaboration, and the celebration of success.
LD3. Enhance our risk management culture, focusing on effective financial, information, and human resources management practices, and internal audit controls. LD4. Encourage and support student leadership and
citizenship to promote global competencies.
LN1. Enhance instructional practice to encourage and support critical and creative thinking skills.
LN2. Maintain a cyclical program development, monitoring and review framework to improve equity of access to programs, pathways, and services for all students.
LN3. Use student survey data to identify and understand groups that require additional services and supports.
LN4. Develop an organizational culture that is committed to lifelong learning.
ell-being ngagement eadership earning
Vision for 2015
The OCDSB is a dynamic, creative learning organization that fosters the achievement, well-being, and dignity of every
student. As a global leader in public education, we:
Objectives for 2015 How we will know we have achieved our vision:
Mission
