From Ontario Schools: A Crossroads for International Students (page 22)
Canadian Association of Public Schools – International (CAPS-I)
International Education Strategy
Ontario Association of School Districts International (OASDI)
Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative
In February, the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) announced some exceptional turnaround results on literacy scores for students involved in the Model School project. This project was set up in 2009-10 to improve literacy in students on the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and the Walpole Island First Nation through support to teachers and principals. Academic backing was provided by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and Memorial University.
The MAEI was founded in 2008 by Paul Martin, former prime minister of Canada, with a mandate to close the achievement gap between First Nations and non-First-Nations students. The results of the Model School project, as well as details of other current projects, can be found on the website.
Lincoln M. Alexander Awards
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/
In January, three young Ontarians were honoured for their commitment to racial equality by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. The two annual student awards went to Zuberi Attard (Toronto DSB) and Madison Goodwill (Bluewater DSB), both 18. The community award was presented to Yosra Musa, 21, of Hamilton. Each recipient received a personalized certificate and a $5,000 cash award.
Zuberi founded an association for newcomer students at Central Commerce Collegiate in Toronto and has also investigated the relationship between substance abuse, the justice system and racism through projects he developed for a local community organization.
Madison’s work with the Métis Nation of Ontario Great Lakes Métis Council as a summer student was the inspiration behind Blossom’s Program, a leadership program she created for girls. Her research into the history of residential schools has been incorporated into the grade 10 history curriculum at Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute.
Yosra Musa is a co-founder of Canada’s first black sorority, Nu Omega Zeta at McMaster University, and the co-editor-in-chief of the university’s only Afro-Caribbean magazine, The Voice. She has made significant contributions to McMaster’s African and African Diaspora Studies program as a research student.
The awards are named for the late Lincoln M. Alexander, Ontario’s 24th lieutenant-governor, who served from 1985 to 1991. He was the first Canadian from a minority group to serve as lieutenant-governor in any province.
