Ontario ed minister warns parents: keep kids in school, not sports tournaments
Starting next school year, attendance and participation will make up 10-15 percent of final grades, with two unexcused absences costing students those marks.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra is urging parents not to pull their children out of school for sports tournaments when new attendance rules take effect next school year.
Starting in the upcoming school year, attendance and participation will make up either 10 or 15 percent of a final mark, depending on the grade. In Grades 9 and 10, it will be 15 percent; in Grades 11 and 12, it will be 10 percent. If a student has more than two unexcused absences, they won't be able to get that full mark.
Excused absences normally include illnesses and holy days. While parents are technically allowed to excuse their children for a weekend hockey tournament that begins on a Friday, Calandra said he doesn't want that to become the norm. "My advice to parents is, keep them in school," he said Monday. "Education should be their priority."
Calandra noted that attendance rates in Ontario high schools are among the worst in the country. The ministry has heard from the Ontario Hockey League about accommodations for high-level athletes in training, but Calandra reiterated: "Education is a priority." The ministry will monitor the new rules over the next year and make modifications if needed.
