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THE COUNCIL OF EDUCATORS OF TORONTO2014 STAKEHOLDER REPORT

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It has been a sincere pleasure to lead this collective endeavourto provide a coordinated, local response to clarify pathways topost-secondary education for youth who are traditionally underrepresented in colleges and universities.

Throughout my 44-year career in public education, I have neverwitnessed such productive collaboration among diverse educational institutions and the community sector - all in one place to pursue one common goal. Our achievements would not have been possible without the consistent engagement of CET members from colleges, universities and school boards, leadership team members, program pod participants and community-based practitioners.

Their active commitment to improving the educational outcomes of our youth in a collaborative way has been absolutely clear to me since the beginning and proves the importance of continuing on this vital mission.

I would also like to our acknowledge our funders - Ministry ofTraining, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), Ministry of Education (EDU) and TD Bank Group – whose interest and investment hasenabled this unique model to thrive.

Thank you,

John DaviesCET Founding Chair, President Emeritus, Humber College ITAL

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR

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ABOUT US

The Council of Educators of Toronto (CET) is the firsteducational attainment initiative of its kind in Canada. CETfacilitates collaboration among Toronto’s colleges, universitiesand school boards to work on improving access to postsecondary education outcomes for underrepresented,marginalized young people.

The CET was formed in response to the Roots of Youth Violence report, which noted the need to clarify educational pathways for the most marginalized youth in our society. We believe that education is the key to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and alleviating the disproportionate effects of social and economic disparities.

Convened in May 2011, the Council is comprised of Toronto’scolleges and universities, the Toronto District School Board,Toronto Catholic District School Board and the United WayToronto. The CET is led by a small Secretariat and is funded bythe Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU), theMinistry of Education (EDU) and TD Bank Group.

WHO WE WORK WITHThe CET engages with access and outreach administrators and practitioners at each member institution as well as government, non-profit and community stakeholders.

OUR MEMBERS:

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OUR OBJECTIVES:

• CLARIFY PATHWAYS to post-secondary education by maintaining the website, www.postsecondaryispossible.com, which houses a searchable database of post-secondary access and outreach programs and scholarships in Toronto.

• FACILITATE & DESIGN PARTNERSHIPS through unique initiatives and programs that align the needs, resources and capacity of stakeholders. • INCREASE AWARENESS & OPPORTUNITIES for hands-on engagement with diverse students from across the City of Toronto using various platforms and events while sharing relevant, up-to-date information.

• CONDUCT APPLIED RESEARCH in order to share evidence-based promising practices across educational institutions for the improvement of programs and services.

OUR MANDATE WHAT WE DO

TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COLLABORATIVE, COORDINATED APPROACH AMONG EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO BETTER MATCH STUDENTS WITH ACCESS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS ON OFFER.

COMMUNICATIONS

ADVOCACYRESEARCH

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OUR STORY

2005 2007 2008 2011 2013...SUMMER OF THE GUNA sharp increase in gun violence leaves 52 people murdered, many of whom are youth.

MAY15-year old Jordan Manners is tragically shot to death inside C.W. Jefferey’s Collegiate Institute.

John Davies, then President of Humber College, is asked to convene a group of leaders across educational institutions in Toronto regarding access to post-secondary education. CET is thus formed.

NOVEMBER“Review of the Roots of Youth Violence” is released. Among the 30 recommendations is the following:

CET GROWSPartnerships are developed between colleges, universities, and school boards. Council approves a trusteeship beween Humber College and the City of Toronto.

APRILCET successfully moves into Phase 2, and continues to be funded by TD Bank and the Ministries of Education & Training Colleges and Universities.

PRESENTCET continues to develop and expand its unique, collaborative approach to educational attainment in Toronto and beyond.

MARCHTD Bank, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities provide 2 years of funding for CET.

MAY

“The Province must remove the barriers and disincentives to education that exist for many children and youth...better connecting schools to families...and providing ongoing educational and mentoring supports...to engage in learning and seek further education.”

JUNEMayor David Miller convenes the Advisory Panel on Making a Safe City Safer. The “Roots of Youth Violence Review” is launched, lead by Chief Justice Roy McMurty and Former Speaker of Legislature Alvin Curling.

THE FIRST MEETING

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A Project Manager is hired to establish a CET secretariat.

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Access and Outreach programs are initiativesthat focus on educational attainment forpopulations that may not traditionally pursuecollege or university, or have difficulty doingso.

These programs offer pathways to postsecondary education and are run by colleges, universities, and school boards, often in partnership with each other or communityorganizations.

Such programs enable people of varying ages to gain career, interpersonal, literacy and life skills, sometimes also earning academic credits or credentials. The ultimate goal is to enablethe pursuit of post-secondary education ortraining.

WHAT ARE ACCESS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS?

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SINCE MAY 2011, CET HAS:CET DEFINED TYPES OF PROGRAMS:

defined and catalogued

connected with

facilitated & developed

held

hosted

initiated

access and outreach prorams.

partner organizations across Toronto.

partnerships and collaborations.

events.

attendees at CET-lead events.

research projects.

125+40+118

925+3

• Aboriginal• Crown Wards• First Generation• Mature Student• Language• Newcomers• Women Only

• Academic Bridging• Transitional Year Programs

• Ability-Focused• Academic Upgrading• Dual Credit• Retention

• Early Awareness• Career Exploration• Literacy & Basic Skills• Life Skills• Tutoring & Mentorship

• Job Training & Pre-Apprenticeships• Certificate Programs

IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE OF US AT COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND SCHOOL BOARDS TO HAVE A VOICE THAT SPEAKS FOR OUTREACH AND ACCESS INITIATIVES. Rona Abramovitch, Senior Advisor, Office of the Vice-Provost and VP Academic, Ryerson University

ACCESS AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: A RANGE OF OPTIONS

DEMOGRAPHIC

TRANSITION

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT

ACADEMIC COMPLETION

JOB TRAINING & PRE-APP

CET CLARIFIES PATHWAYS TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

POSTSECONDARYISPOSSIBLE.COMOur website is geared towards teachers, community workers and access/outreach professionals.

The CET website includes a searchable database of all of the access and outreach programs across the 12 CET member institutions. Users can search for programs across the colleges and universities in Toronto and using filters, such as “Demographic”, to help find programs that fit their unique needs. The website also features a scholarship directory containing over 350 scholarships and bursaries.

WEBSITE STATISTICS:

page views over the past year

users over the past year

scholarships listed

access programs available

22,955 5,455350+200+

THE CET WEBSITE HAS BECOME THE GO-TO RESOURCE FOR ACADEMICALLY ADVISING NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS, PROVIDING ALL RELEVANT RESOURCES IN ONE SITE, INSTEAD OF HUNTING THROUGH WEBPAGES TO FIND RESOURCES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND. Michelle Green, Former Program Manager, Spanning the Gaps, Ryerson Unversity

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CET FOSTERS PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS.

The CET provides a unique platform to leverage resources and share leadership through collaborations and partnerships that build capacity among educational practitioners and stakeholders. Examples include:

• Newcomer Educational Attainment & Training initiative (York University, Seneca College, Toronto Employment Social Services & CET)

• Collective Impact for Toronto Youth (25+ stakeholders across the city including public sector and non-profit sector participants)

• Money Matters: Post-Secondary is Possible, addressing the financial aspects of paying for post secondary (ABC Life Literacy & CET)

PROGRAM PODSThe CET Program Pod initiative provides opportunities for access and outreach practitioners working in similar program areas to network and connect across institutions.

Organized into the 4 main types of access programs identified by the CET – Academic Completion, Outreach & Engagement, Transition/Bridging & Job Training & Pre-Apprenticeship – these pods are co-convened by CET member institutions (George Brown College, University of Toronto, Ryerson University and HumberCollege). The quarterly pod meetings allow practitioners to identify promising practices and areas where further collective exploration and action would be useful.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM PODS AND AT THE PROGRAM POD SYMPOSIUM HAS FURTHERED INNOVATIVE THINKING AND POSITIVE CHANGE, BENEFITTING THE YOUTH WE SERVE. Mitchell Curci, Learning Disabilities Association, Toronto District

CET PROGRAM POD STATISTICS:

Program Pod Meetings

Attendees in Total

% of attendees find the meetings useful

16170

95

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The CET holds multiple events per year with key stakeholders such as the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Community Housing, the City of Toronto, Youth Employment Partnerships, community organizations and more.

Through these events, the CET facilitates information sharing and connections between the PSE sector, local community organizations, and networks, while increasing public awareness of available educational pathways for underserved youth.

ALTERNATIVE CHOICES MARKETPLACEThis CET and Toronto District School Board event brings all of the CET institutions together in one place for students to learn about the diverse alternative pathways to post-secondary.

Attendees have the opportunity to speak directly with representatives from access and outreach programs across all of Toronto’s colleges and universities as well as TDSB alternative programs and schools.

CET HOLDS EVENTS THAT PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

Join us on NOVEMBER 12TH and explore alternative choices for high school completion and/or accessing post-secondary education!

Current student? Not a current student? Figuring out your life?

It's all good!

Information on secondary & post secondary options!

Information on Alternative Programs & Schools, Completing your High school Diploma, Continuing Education, E-Learning, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), & more!

Access & Outreach Programs from Toronto's Colleges & Universities!

EVENTS SUCH AS THIS NOT ONLY ALLOW US TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH DETERMINED LEARNERS, BUT TO CONSULT WITH OTHER PSE STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP US REFER LEARNERS TO APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS. Yvette Munro, Academic Planning & Strategic Initiatives Officer, York University

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AS PART OF OUR ‘YEARS OF ACTION RE-ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY’, THE TDSB IS PLEASED TO PARTNER WITH THE COUNCIL OF EDUCATORS OF TORONTO TO BROADEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. Donna Quan, Director of Education, Toronto District School Board

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CET CONDUCTS APPLIED RESEARCH TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES.

RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTThe CET has conducted its own applied research on the access and outreach programs in its network and, more generally, on issues that impact access, such as the financial aspects of accessing post-secondary education. Through collaboration with research-based organizations, CET ensures that its work is evidence-based and relevant to students and practitioners and policy-makers.

By keeping up-to-date on current local and international research and trends related to access to post-secondary education and training for low-income and underrepresented groups, the CET has become an ambassador for access in a short period of time. CET has willingly shared learnings, ideas and strategies upon request to various networks and organizations, inter-provincially and internationally.

THERE’S LOTS OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT MORE EDUCATION A PERSON HAS, THE BETTER CHANCES THEY HAVE AT SECURING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT. Susan McIsaac, President, United Way Toronto

TOGETHER WE CAN WALK ON PATHWAYS THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE MOVE FROM WHERE THEY ARE NOW, TO WHERE THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE. Anthony Bertin, CET Member & Community Outreach Manager, Centennial College

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WHY IS OUR WORK ESSENTIAL?

THOSE LIVING IN LOW-INCOME HIGH-POVERTY AREAS HAVE HIGHER SCHOOL ABSETNEEISM RATES, WHICH CAN INFLUENCE DROPOUT RATES.Toronto Employment Social Services Fact Sheet

THE INCARCERATION RATE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IS 15 TIMES WHAT IT IS FOR THOSE WITH SOME POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.Stepping Up Report, Ontario Ministry of Children & Youth Services, 2013, pg. 97

9.5% OF YOUTH ARE NOT IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, OR TRAINING.7

Secondary Success Indicators Fact Sheet, TDSB, 2013

ONLY 5% OF YOUTH WHO LEAVE HIGH SCHOOL EARLY FIND EMPLOYMENT.Research Today, TDSB, Vol.4, Issue 1

INDIVIDUAL EARNINGS ARE UP TO 70% MORE FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES THAN FOR EARLY LEAVERS.Cost Estimates of Dropping out of High School in Canada, Canadian Council on Learning, 2008

18.1% OF YOUTH IN TORONTO ARE UMEMPLOYED.This is 1.2% higher than the rest of Ontario and 3.8% higher than the national rate.Young and the Jobless, CCPA, 2013

RACIALIZED SECONDARY STUDENTS HAVE LOW GRADUATION RATES IN COMPARISON TO THE OVERALL 83% GRADUATION RATE.Secondary Success Indicators Fact Sheet, TDSB, 2013

Carribbean and Region groups

Central/South American and Mexican groups

38%52%

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CET BRINGS TOGETHER SCHOOL BOARDS, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY ON THE ATTAINMENT OF EDUCATION LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

VALUE OF CET MEMBERSHIP

WE BUILD PRACTITIONER AND LEADERSHIP CAPACITY.• Cross-fertilization of ideas leads to higher-quality programs and better matches between program and student.• Collaborative development of tools and resources between CET members and stakeholders.• Networking with colleagues across communities and educational institutions.• Members of CET Program Pods get a deeper focus on strategies, tools, and practices.

WE SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS.• Aligning and leveraging the needs and resources of stakeholders who may have limited resources.

WE ADVANCE POLICY ISSUES. • Opportunities to engage provincially, nationally, and internationally as one voice representing Toronto in relation to access to education. • Collective responses regarding policy issues affecting access to PSE in Toronto.

WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO INCREASE & EXPAND THEIR IMPACT.• Potential to build new programs and partnerships. • Exposure of programs to diverse communities through the GTA, and increased engagement and recruitment of these groups.• Comprehensive online portal that supports practitioners working with youth.• Access to city-wide CET networks, including our mailing list and other communications.• Gain recognition when your logo is present on CET promotional distributed materials.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PARTNERSHIPS, CITY OF TORONTO, WORKS CLOSELY WITH CET ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT ENTRY POINT INTO THE COMPLEX FIELD OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION GUIDANCE AND AN INSTANT CONNECTION TO A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF PSE AND PSE SUPPORT SERVICES.

Linda McGrath, Program Coordinator, Youth Employment Partnerships, City of Toronto

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CET MEMBERS

CHAIRJohn Davies, President Emeritus, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

MEMBERS

Boreal CollegeGuy Lucas, Services Manager

Centennial CollegeAnthony Bertin, Manager, Community Outreach OfficeDarryl Creeden, Director, Recruitment and Admissions

George Brown CollegeBrenda Pipitone, Dean, Academic Services and Student Affairs*Elizabeth Dantas, Educational Partnerships ManagerVidoll Regisford, Senior Manager, Community Partnerships Office

Humber CollegeGeraldine Babcock, Director, Community Outreach and Workforce Development*Sabra Desai, Manager of Community Partnerships

OCAD UniversitySean Baker, Manager of Strategic Recruitment

Ryerson UniversityRona Abramovitch, Advisor, Outreach & Access*O'neil Edwards, Director, Spanning the Gaps – Access to Post-Secondary Education

SECRETARIATHelen Tewolde, Project ManagerYumi Numata, Project Coordinator

Seneca CollegeLeolyn Hendricks, Chair, Workforce Development

Toronto Catholic District School BoardPatrick Keyes, Superintendent of EducationTobin Walsh, SHSM & Pathways Resource TeacherCatherine Moynihan, SHSM Pathways Facilitator, Student Success

Toronto District School BoardChristopher Usih, Executive Superintendent Student SuccessLeadership Team Member, 2012-present

University of TorontoLisa Chambers, Director, Centre for Community PartnershipsSarah Pole, Director, Law in Action Within Schools Program (LAWS)

York UniversityAlice Pitt, Vice-Provost AcademicRhonda Lenton, VP Academic and ProvostYvette Munro, Academic Planning and Strategic Initiatives Officer*

United Way TorontoAnnique Farrell, Manager, Community Impact

*Leadership Team Members, 2012 - present

FUNDERS AND PARTNERS

FUNDERS Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and UniversitiesOntario Ministry of Education TD Bank Group

PARTNERSCity of Toronto, Social Development Finance & Administration (SDFA) Social Policy Analysis & Research (SPAR)Community Development Unit (CDU)

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IT’S NOT JUST ACCESS TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, BUT ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE. Dr. Alice Pitt, Vice-Provost Academic, York University

CONTACT US

Helen Tewolde, Project Managerhtewold@toronto.ca416-397-0442

Council of Educators of TorontoCity of Toronto14th Floor, East Tower, City Hall100 Queen Street W., Toronto, ONM5H 2N2

@CouncilofEd

Council of Educators of Toronto

CouncilofEducators Toronto

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postsecondaryispossible.com

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postsecondaryispossible.com

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