Why do I have to teach these difficult topics?
As educators we have both a legal and moral obligation to ensure that everyone (students, parents, staff and visitors) feel accepted, valued and safe within our school communities, with a view to creating a society that is also inclusive. Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy sets both the vision and the imperative to act to create inclusive classrooms and schools (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equityquickfacts.pdf). The education strategy is a direct result of the passing of the Accepting Schools Act of 2012, which results in changes to the Education Act under which we teach.
Section 3, Subsection 169.1 of the Accepting Schools Act states that the purpose of the act is to
“promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including pupils of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability;”
For more information about the Accepting Schools Act go to: http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2549
As educators we have both a legal and moral obligation to ensure that everyone (students, parents, staff and visitors) feel accepted, valued and safe within our school communities, with a view to creating a society that is also inclusive. Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy sets both the vision and the imperative to act to create inclusive classrooms and schools (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/equityquickfacts.pdf). The education strategy is a direct result of the passing of the Accepting Schools Act of 2012, which results in changes to the Education Act under which we teach.
Section 3, Subsection 169.1 of the Accepting Schools Act states that the purpose of the act is to
“promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including pupils of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability;”
For more information about the Accepting Schools Act go to: http://ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=2549