Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch
Strategic Plan
2024–2027

Strategic Priorities

A framework for performance measurement is under development to identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) associated with each PDSB strategic priority.

Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Core Academic Skills

• Increase Achievement in Foundational Skills in American Sign Language (ASL), Braille, Reading, Writing and Math
• Build on Students’ Transferable Skills

Measurement and Outcomes: Students are supported to develop foundational skills that help to achieve their learning goals through evidence-based approaches, and have broadened opportunities to develop transferable skills

Preparation of Students for Future Success

• Enhance Programs / Services to Support Student Pathways and Transitions
• Foster a Learning Environment Centred in Student Perspectives

Measurement and Outcomes: Students are prepared for their next step through skills development programs and clear pathways that are tailored to their diverse abilities and goals

Student Engagement and Well-Being

• Promote a Safe, Caring & Supportive Learning and Student Lodging Environment
• Build Staff/Student Capacity to Foster Increased Engagement, Safety and Well-Being

Measurement and Outcomes: Students, families and staff have increased opportunities for engagement that support safe and caring learning and lodging environments

Promotion of PDSB

• Promote PDSB as a Leader in the Education of Students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, Low Vision, Deafblind and Students with Learning Disabilities
• Strengthen Engagement and Collaboration with Key PDSB Partners

Measurement and Outcomes: Outreach is expanded to showcase achievements and to profile the programs/services of PDSB

Strategic Directions

Achievement of Learning Outcomes in Core Academic Skills

Increase Achievement in Foundational Skills in American Sign Language (ASL), Braille, Reading, Writing and Math

• Strengthen students’ literacy and mathematics content knowledge while ensuring fidelity of implementation to improve student achievement.  
  
  • Apply philosophies / strategies that support PDSB students (e.g., bilingual-biliteracy-bicultural education, expanded core curriculum, literacy intervention, math action plan). 
  • Use varied, evidence-based tools and assessment strategies that take into consideration educational context and full student profiles to ensure relevant, differentiated and responsive interventions and supports.

Build on Students’ Transferable Skills

• Expand external extra-curricular and dual-credit options for engagement in collaboration, communication and global citizenship.  
• Develop and support executive functions and transferable skills in daily practice (e.g., goal setting, organization, initiative, critical thinking, digital citizenship, self-reflection, self-advocacy). 
• Offer more educational events and academic competitions in priority areas such as STEM and Robotics, Financial Literacy, Art and Drama.

Preparation of Students for Future Success

Enhance Programs/Services to Support Student Pathways and Transitions

• Honour every student’s pathway to success by maintaining access to dual-credit and postsecondary transition programs and expanding student credit-bearing course options.
• Support student participation in job skills programs (e.g., Specialist High Skills Majors, Dual Credit, Ontario Youth Apprenticeship, Co-op). 
• Set high expectations for student success to foster growth mindsets and offer supports for de-streamed classrooms.   

Foster a Learning Environment Centred in Student Perspectives

• Increase opportunities to seek and respond to students’ perspectives (e.g., in choice and flexibility, and in course offerings). 
• Enhance opportunities for using assistive technologies in support of student achievement and engagement.  
• Collaborate with communities to ensure experiential learning is reflective of a array of cultural and student perspectives (e.g., diverse guest presenters and resources).  

Student Engagement and Well-Being

Promote a Safe, Caring and Supportive Learning and Student Lodging Environment

• Leverage student surveys (e.g., school climate survey) to better understand the diversity of student identities, perspectives and experiences (e.g., food choices, recreational and physical activities, field trips). 
• Develop a PDSB Mental Health Action Plan with a dual focus on increasing student awareness, skills and knowledge on mental health, and student access to supports and community partners. 
• Leverage Parent Reaching Out (P R O) grant activities to enhance engagement and communication with parents and guardians in meaningful ways. 
• Continue site improvements to enhance student experience (e.g., upgrade playground equipment, facility repairs).

Build Staff / Student Capacity to Foster Increased Engagement, Safety and Well-Being

• Increase opportunities for professional and leadership development, recognition, and staff feedback (e.g., surveys, committees, coaching/mentorship opportunities, School Mental Health Ontario resources and the New Teacher Induction Program). 
• Foster an environment for multi-disciplinary and cross-departmental collaboration anchored in student engagement / well-being, with support from clinical services. 
• Develop policies and initiatives that promote a safe, caring, supportive and equitable environment (e.g., anti-audism, blind/low vision, learning disabilities awareness, caring and safe schools).  

Promotion of PDSB

Promote PDSB as a Leader in the Education of Students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Blind, Low Vision, Deafblind and Students with Learning Disabilities

• Honour and celebrate the diversity and history of Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, Deafblind and peoples with learning disabilities. 
• Increase profile of PDSB expertise and programs / services through the delivery of presentations/workshops, hosting visits and leveraging of current branch connections/partnerships such as resource services. 
• Showcase PDSB achievements, programs / services and connections to EDU resources by enhancing the PDSB School and Branch websites.  

Strengthen Engagement and Collaboration with Key PDSB Partners

• Enhance engagement with postsecondary institutions to support expansion of placement opportunities and specialized qualifications to better recruit and retain staff. 
• Continue to collaborate with key partners to highlight and expand PDSB program and service delivery offerings and contribute to research and development.