“Say NO, to EQAO!” Petition calls for cancellation of EQAO to ensure students do not face undue stress

BY PAUL JUNOR

There has been widespread opposition to the Ontario Ministry of Education’s decision to go ahead with EQAO testing in schools. The website:www.buildingbetterschools.org launched a petition titled, “Say ‘No” to EQAO in 2022,” which has advocated for the complete renunciation of EQAO testing.

The petition provides a template that interested individuals can use to email to Stephen Leece, Ontario Minister of Education. It states,

“I am writing to urge the Ministry of Education to continue the pause of EQAO assessments for students in grades three and six. The continued disruptions to learning during the pandemic require a focus on bringing stability to our schools, not disruptive testing. I have significant concerns about the well-being and mental health of students; adding EQAO related anxiety and stress this time is totally irresponsible.”

The petition notes that research shows that, “EQAO creates anxiety, contains cultural bias, and leads to curriculum narrowing and test preparation. It also drives teachers to avoid engaging in innovative projects during and even immediately before the years when children were tested. Engagement and re-engagement with learning is the pathway to achievement. Not large-scale standardized testing of whole cohorts of students.”

Additional details about this petition can be seen at: https://www.buildingbetterschools.ca/no-eqao. There have been several boards that have asked EQAO tests to be paused. Trustees with the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) requested that the EQAO testing be suspended. Chair Scott

Piatkowski stated, “It’s been a demanding time, and we need to recognize that the value of whatever data might be gained through doing the testing this year, we think is really outweighed by… the negative impacts of running the testing.”

In a subsequent letter from Karen Brown, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) written to Education Minister Stephen Leece, asked that the EQAO testing be paused. The Ministry of Education has indicated that there will be a digital version of the grade three and grade six test, to which ETFO strongly objected.

EFTO notes that the EQAO will be particularly problematic for grade three students who are expected to type answers to open-response questions. Finding and allocating enough devices will be a challenge, and it will be difficult to ensure all technology is available and in good working order this year after several distributions and collection periods in response to schools pivoting back and forth between in-person and remote learning.

Matt Richter (Education of Green Party) states, “It’s time to put students’ mental health first. The last thing students need added to their plates right now is the enormous pressure.” Mike Schreiner, Green Party Leader reiterates, “Instead of wasting millions on an unnecessary test, let’s invest in making our schools safer and ensuring all students have access to comprehensive mental health services. That’s the fiscally responsible decision and the right thing to do for our kids.”

The Ontario government has not responded.