TDSB Research Reports

TDSB has a research department that has many different responsibilities, one of which is to investigate, analyze and report on things pertaining to TDSB data and school/student programs, and to investigate education issues that  inform the board about best practices. It is serious research based on data, literature reviews etc.

Many of their reports are available on the TDSB web site <here>. They are buried deep on the web site, but you can click your way there: TDSB ->Top 10 side bar ->About TDSB ->Key Information -> Research -> Research Publications.

Check it once in a while  for newly released reports.

Rowan

Chris Spence’s Vision

Chris Spence, TDSB Director of Education, has been seen and heard on TV and Radio recently particularly regarding his recommendation that  TDSB create an all-boys school.

This is one recommendation amongst many that are included in a PowerPoint Report that was presented to the Planning & Priorities Committee on October 20th. The report will be presented to the Board soon.  The report is titled A Vision of Hope and is available on Chris’ Page on the TDSB internet site, under speeches. He creates a vision of what our schools can become to improve learning and student success, to become more caring, to reduce the achievement gap, to graduate students ready to participate in a global economy.

Some of the recommendations include:

• creating full-service schools (make the school a fully integrated participant in the community beyond just education, especially health);
• bringing 21st century technology and networking  to the schools and classrooms (if the kids are comfortable using it at home, it should be in the schools); 
• a single sex all boys school (if you have one for boys; you’re going to need one for girls);
• creating a parent academy (creating greater opportunities for parents to be involved with their children’s education);
• launching 8 ARC s=Accomdation Review Committee=school and program changes in location or configuration=school closure;
• making the schools greener, especially regarding energy savings.
• finding ways to finance programs by increasing attendance of international students, improving energy efficiency, and through property redevelopment.

Much food for thought!

Rowan

Dr. Christopher Spence books

The Professional Library has compiled a collection of Chris Spence books for you to explore. Two of the most recent titles are:

• Leading with passion and purpose: Creating schools that help teachers teach and students learn, 2009 
•  The joys of teaching boys: Igniting writing experiences that meet the needs of students, 2008

I have been reading On time! On task! On a mission! A year in the life of a middle school principal (2002) by Dr. Spence and have found it an exhilarating look at the realities of working with today’s youth. The focus is on educational soundness and believing in achievement.

The Professional Library has ordered and is awaiting delivery of Dr. Spence’s newest book titled Achieving, believing and caring (2009).

Please contact the Professional Library at 416-395-8289 to check out these excellent materials.

A reminder to visit the new Just Read It page within Chris’s Place on the TDSB website for book recommendations and participation in the program.  Submit book reviews and win prizes.  “Just Read It encourages all students, staff and the entire TDSB community to engage in the joy of reading and to share the experience of reading a wide range of books with each other. Whether signed out at a school library, the local public library, read at home or read in the classroom, all books submitted will be tracked and counted throughout the year.”

Esta P, Librarian

Brain Exercises and School Success

The idea that brain is pliable and that the weak parts can be strengthened with cognitive exercises has found its way into schools.  

 TDSB is considering four different neuroplasticity programs to implement. Two programs are already used in TDSB schools:  Cogmed Working Memory Training and Fast ForWord.  The other programs under consideration are Wasdell SMaRts and the Arrowsmith program. 

 Neuroplasticity programs operate on the underlying principle that by strengthening the weak paths in the brain, the student is able to access skills that enable the student to learn better.

 Read on …

Arrowsmith seen as ‘last hope’: Success stories from small program for children with learning disorders. Toronto Star, Sep 15, 2009. www.thestar.com/article/695581

 Giving brains a workout: cognitive exercises being tested in Toronto schools break new ground. Toronto Star, June 26, 2009.  www.thestar.com/printArticle/656090

 Learning alternative: one school’s belief in a fixable brain. Feb 25, 2009. www.parentcentral.ca/parent/education/article/592531

 Raising cognitive capacity.  ProfessionallySpeaking,  Sep 2008. www.oct.ca/publications/professionally_speaking/september_2008/raising_cognitive_capacity.asp

 Report on the Arrowsmith program in the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Jan 25, 2007. http://www.arrowsmithschool.org/images/Report%20on%20the%20AP%20in%20the%20TCDSB%20%20Feb%202%2007.pdf

 Also, you can borrow the following popular book from the Professional Library The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, by Norman Doidge.  Contact us to borrow it.

 Judy C

 

 

Finding feature films on Medianet (TDSB)

As eveyone knows, TDSB has an extensive central collection of DVDs, videos, and kits, located at  the Tippett Centre.  The collection includes resources for K-12 classrooms, and they all have public performance rights (PPR) so you don have to worry about copyright.

TDSB teachers search and book media using the catalogue Medianet. 

Did you know that there is a simple way to find feature films in the Medianet catalogue?  Follow these steps:

• Open Medianet
• Click on “Mediagraphies by Curriculum Subject and Grade Levels” (on right hand side)
• Click on heading  ”General and Special Bibliographies”
• Click on “Feature Films”, about midway down the alphy list under “General and special”…

Use the Mediagraphy lists to find new media pertaining to  the subject that you teach.

Rowan

Photo of Tippett’s main entrance.

Just in case you visit Tippett, below is a photo of the front entrance.  Notice the FABULOUS garden,  maintained by Library & Learning Resources staff.

Tippett Front Door

Research Success now in French Translation

In 2005, TDSB Library and Learning Resources developed and wrote a document titled Research Success @ Your Library: A guide for secondary students.  Visually friendly with lots of worksheets and handouts, this document was written as an aid for teacher librarians about teaching the library research process and to assist students in becoming organized researchers, critical thinkers and effective communicators.

Finally a French version is available under the title Réussir dans vos recherches@ la bibliotèque: Un guide pour les élèves secondaire. to purchase you copy email curriculumdocs@tdsb.on.ca.

TDSB elementary census results

Here is a link to the TDSB elementary census  (2008 Parent Census, Kindergarten – grade 6, System Overview Detailed Findings) and an article written by Kristin Rushowy, education reporter for the Toronto Star (it summarizes some of the statistics).

Rowan

TDSB student census, grades7-12

TDSB has released the results of the student census in which students from grades 7-12 were asked to identify themselves demographically (eg racially, sexually, family structure), and how they perceive their relationship within the school environment (eg school safety).  The report titled The Student Census, grades 7-12, System Overview, available here,  presents the data but does not cross tabulate the information. This research will come in the next few months. It is an interesting read because it may dispel preconceptions that people have about  students served by the Board – it provides facts not guesstimates.

Rowan

Character Development in TDSB

TDSB has created a new document titled Build Character, Build Success: Character Development School Resource Guide K-12. This guide is meant to assist all school teams with the implementation of their character development programs. It includes info on the following character attributes: respect, responsibility, empathy, kindness/caring, teamwork, fairness, honesty, co-operation, integrity,  and perseverance.  There is a resource section with lists of books (with recommended grade levels) to support each of the attributes.

To order the guide, email curriculumdocs@tdsb.on.ca. Click here to visit the TDSB web page on Character Development.

Rowan