Better for those’ who have been, and are already, underserved by the training system’
In the name of capital and participation, Ottawa’s largest school district is considering eliminating graduation rites and replacing them with graduations.
The Ottawa- Carleton District School Board proposed legislation defines” introduction” as” a party of student success that includes all students, including those who have been, and are already, underserved by the training system”.
The change’s justification, according to the policy FAQ, is that” students have different educational journeys, and all students ‘ different experiences should have the opportunity to be celebrated, including those who have previously faced challenges within the educational system, both in the past and in the existing.”
It goes on to say” At many colleges, students are leaving with a range of accomplishments, and all are included in graduation ceremonies. These latest practices may be reflected in the proposed policy changes.
A initiation ceremony is more “inclusive” and “aligns with the Board’s larger agreements to]DEI]”.
Student awards will still be given, but” will be reflective of the]district’s ] commitment to learning, equity, engagement and innovation]and ] will be inclusive of all pathways, cover a wide array of achievements ( not strictly academic ), celebrate a wide variety of aspects of student experiences and talents, and not be gender- based”.
Due to shipping problems, some honors perhaps be given at a” individual ceremony” other than the commencement. Just do n’t call it “graduation”.
The Canadian national anthem will remain at commencements, as will the” sharing” of Native American land acknowledgements.
The Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education’s Jacqueline Specht, a professor at Western University, reported to the Ottawa Citizen that schools already invite students with special needs and those who are n’t graduating to graduation ceremonies.
” It’s a good thing”, she said. ” As our understanding of people changes, so do big traditions. And that’s OK”. However, Specht did caution schools not to give every student an award” just to be charitable”.
” People can tell. We either give awards and we give them honestly and truthfully, or we do n’t give them at all”.
MORE: University drops math as a requirement for graduation as it considers a new diversity requirement.
IMAGES: Shutterstock .com, Ottawa- Carleton District School Board
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