Mathematics getting a ‘real-life’ makeover across Ontario schools next year
Posted June 9, 2021 12:12 pm.
Last Updated June 9, 2021 3:56 pm.
The Ford government announced a new math curriculum that will be rolled out to Grade 9 students this September, one that replaces the applied and academic math streams and that teaches students more real-life applications for math.
All students Grades 1-9 will now learn the same math course and education ministry officials say it will be one that makes arithmetic more relevant to everyday scenarios. This includes learning to plan a budget, learning how down payments work and learning about the movement of the stock market.
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Officials say, for example, when students are being taught about graphs, they will then learn to apply that to reading a cell phone plan. When learning about motion, it will be applied to the movement of planes and skateboards. Data lessons may be applied to sports statistics.
Computer coding will also be mandatory and students will learn about the cultural origins of mathematics.
“We are better preparing students with the life and job skills they require – with a focus on financial literacy, coding, and data literacy – to ensure Ontario students succeed,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
“With an emphasis on real-world applications for mathematics, this course will teach students valuable fundamentals that will give them a competitive advantage when they graduate. With new math-focused learning supports and a new curriculum, our government is taking the first step toward ending early streaming in Ontario, while promoting equal opportunities for all students.”
Premier Ford announced last July his government’s plan to phase out Grade 9 academic streaming starting this Fall.
Critics argued that the streaming process disproportionately impacted radicalized and low-income students. Ontario is the only province that divides students as they enter high school into the applied stream or academic track.
Ministry officials say lessons for educators on how to teach the new curriculum will begin immediately and will continue into the coming school year. Officials say no decision has yet been made about what will happen to the Grade 10 math curriculum.
