Ottawa public school board proposes allowing students without passing grades to participate in graduation
A proposed change to the graduation ceremony policy of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) would see the board switch to equity-based commencement ceremonies and allow for students without passing grades to participate.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Under the proposed changes to Policy P.038.SCO Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies and Awards, the board would be changing the policy's language to phase out graduation ceremonies in favour of commencement ceremonies.
"The main difference between a commencement ceremony and a graduation ceremony is that a commencement ceremony is more inclusive," the OCDSB in a statement on its website. "This aligns with the Board's larger commitments to equity, inclusion, and diversity."
The board is inviting feedback from the public using an online form between Feb. 2 and March 29.
The ceremonies are said to encompass all students, including those who have historically faced challenges within the education system.
The proposed policy says certain students may not be graduating with the class for various reasons, but that it should not 'preclude' them from celebrating their milestones along with their peers.
In addition, the draft policy on the OCDSB website says student graduation awards, including trophies, medals and other prizes traditionally given at graduation ceremonies would be phased out in favour of achievements, to include a wide variety of student experiences and talent, without being strictly academic. The policy would also remove gender-based distinctions from achievements.
Lynn Scott, chair of the OCDSB board of trustees, defended the policy on 580 CFRA Tuesday, but agrees there is some confusion in the wording of the draft policy.
"I won't disagree with you that the language is confusing," Scott told Graham Richardson on Ottawa at Work.
"Frankly, to say we are giving out achievements doesn’t make much sense. So I think that language is missing a word or two. There will still be awards and there will still be awards that are not strictly academic, like there is now."
Scott says the practice of offering students the ability to walk the stage at graduation who don’t meet the requirements has already been in place at some schools for years, including for those with developmental disabilities or those who may need to take summer courses or an extra year to catch up.
Scott says the policy is meant to bring consistency on graduation policies to all schools.
"The people who have not achieved the diploma are still meeting certain requirements and expectations and I really don’t understand why we wouldn’t include them as well," she said.
Scott says the board is welcoming feedback from the public on the matter and says there will likely be changes to the draft policy.
"We haven’t approved the new policy, it is still open for feedback and I will expect there will be a very hefty debate on where we draw lines on who gets to walk across the stage and who doesn't," she said.
The board's graduation policy has been in place since 1998. The proposal is said to reflect the OCDSB's 2023-27 Strategic Plan, which seeks to revise practices at both the school and system level which disadvantage diverse students.
"Students' educational journeys are diverse, this means that all students’ experiences ought to have the opportunity to be celebrated with their teachers, peers, families, and friends in attendance," said a report presented to the board's ad hoc review committee meeting in February.
The policy will be discussed at the board's next Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee meeting on April 4.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds to reach a deal that would free some Israeli hostages and bring a ceasefire in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.