Provincial standardized tests aren't an accurate reflection of student scores, Conservative Leader John Tory says.
Ever since the elementary reading, writing and math tests were introduced under the previous Conservative government, Tory said, the tests have become easier and students have been given more time to write them.
Students, he said, are now allowed to use calculators during the test, which also skews the results. He says that makes it impossible to compare results year over year and to claim that students are getting a better education.
"If you are not comparing apples to apples, if there have been changes to standards, changes in the way tests are done, you can't say they're going up year to year," he said.
Tory said he would make sure schools have consistent standards when giving the tests.
The Conservative leader also said Tuesday that if elected in October, he'll spend an extra $2.44 billion on public education.
During a campaign stop at an elementary school in Mississauga he outlined plans to spend the extra money over the next four years, as well as changing the provincial funding formula.
"Ontario's public education system is facing critical challenges that have been swept under the rug by [Liberal leader] Dalton McGuinty's government. The funding system is broken, schools are in disrepair and standards are dropping. Our children deserve better," Tory said.
About $400 million of the extra funding would be targeted for faith-based schools, a controversial issue leading up to the election campaign. Tory has promised that a Conservative government would fund all faith-based schools in Ontario.
Ontario Votes 2007 »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
District Profiles
More Ontario Votes Headlines »
- McGuinty wins massive majority, Tory loses seat
- Dalton McGuinty won a second majority government for the Liberals in Ontario on Wednesday night, a triumph for a party that earlier expressed fears of a drop to minority status.
- Ontario rejects electoral reform in referendum
- Ontario voters have rejected a proposed electoral reform that would have seen some provincial legislators chosen based on a party's share of the popular vote, results showed Thursday.
- Ontario voter turnout a record low
- The percentage of eligible voters casting ballots in Wednesday's Ontario election hit an all-time low despite changes introduced in an effort to boost turnout.
- Ont. Green party scores 8 per cent of vote
- No Green party candidates made it to the Ontario legislature in Wednesday's election, but that defeat was sweetened by a swell in their share of the popular vote, which more than doubled.
- McGuinty only leader not facing leadership questions
- Liberal Leader Dalton McGuinty won re-election in Ottawa South and NDP Leader Howard Hampton again won his northern Ontario riding of Kenora-Rainy River. PC Leader John Tory was defeated.
