Sovereignty, Human Rights
and Equity
WRDSB is committed to transforming education - systems, structures, physical environments and practices - to ensure that identity and social location no longer predict outcomes. Building a culture of human rights is foundational to supporting all students to reach their full potential in their chosen pathways of learning and in life.
A focus on human rights is foundational to creating learning environments where student achievement and well-being improves and we become the best system we can be. What follows are examples that highlight our human-rights embedded approach to support students' success and create a better education system.
Research has shown that various forms of streaming such as applied level programs severely affected students’ ability to choose the post secondary destination of their choice, and reduced graduation rates. The implementation of de-streaming and single-streaming courses provides more equitable graduation and academic outcomes for students.
WRDSB extended de-streaming into Grade 10 to ensure students have rich learning opportunities and expanded pathways.
In support of the implementation of de-streaming and single streaming courses, WRDSB has provided job-embedded support with itinerant teachers focused on effective instructional strategies and assessment practices in de-streamed classrooms. As well, educators and education workers have had opportunities to engage in subject-specific learning, such as learning to support the implementation of the NBE (English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices) board-wide.
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We believe literacy is a human right, as reinforced by the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) Right to Read inquiry report. WRDSB was already well along the path to change our literacy practices before this report was released. We know it will take a collective approach to ensure that students and their families across Waterloo Region have equitable access to literacy resources and opportunities for youth to build their reading skills. In June 2024, WRDSB launched A Region That Reads Together, an initiative to work with community organizations to work collectively to support literacy throughout Waterloo Region. This initiative builds on the WRDSB’s Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan and is in support of WRDSB’s Board Improvement and Equity Plan focus on the number of students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 2.
In 2024, WRDSB also launched new resources to support Multilingual Language Learners (MLL), families and caregivers.
The WRDSB is committed to providing equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students to succeed and eliminate barriers so that identity and social location no longer predict outcomes. Events, learning opportunities, and student affinity groups centre students’ voices and provide students with identity-affirming spaces and resources to support their academic achievement and well-being.
The Indigenous Learning Team hosted an event in June 2024 for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit secondary students, which focused on fire teachings, medicine and healing with the land through language, and Pow Wow drumming with KW Youth Drum. The event celebrated the rich and diverse cultural heritage, knowledge and traditions of Indigenous Peoples.
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WRDSB aims to create an environment where African, Caribbean and Black-identifying (ACBi) students and staff see their brilliance highlighted, represented and celebrated. Events such as the Black Brilliance Conference provide ACBi students an opportunity to celebrate Black joy, identity and connect with peers who share their identity and similar lived experiences. System Navigators support more than 100 African, Caribbean and Black identifying students. WRDSB also has a Graduation Coach to support Black students.
Families and caregivers are key partners in students’ education. The Listening Forums Final Report shares what we heard from participants and outlines the actions we’re committed to taking to support positive change. Through ongoing conversations with community groups, organizations and community roundtables, we are able to better understand and address the needs within Waterloo Region.
Some of the 2023-24 events and activities to promote Sovereignty, Human Rights and Equity:
As we build students’ capacity to be successful global citizens and graduate with the skills and attributes outlined in the Learner Profile, we encourage them to consider how they can each make an impact to promote equity, human rights, and a sense of belonging.
From an international Memory Portrait Project; writing about the Meaning of Home; coaching for the Special Olympics; growing a community garden and acting as a Waterloo Councillor for a Day, to fundraising for Haven House Women’s Shelter; KidsAbility and Nutrition for Learning, WRDSB students, staff and families are making a difference in their communities and the world.
Guided by the obligation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, Calls to Action identified in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, and Ministry of Education directives, WRDSB staff provide opportunities for students and staff to engage in learning and professional development in support of Sovereignty, Human Rights and Equity. This year, we announced our intention to build as parallel a pathway as possible to support Indigenous Education and uphold the Calls to Action.
In June 2024, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Myeengun Henry led WRDSB in a land ceremony for the New South Kitchener Elementary School, before any work began on the site. The design of this school reflects an ongoing commitment of WRDSB to deepen our understanding and relationship with the environment as taught to us by the Indigenous people who have been its stewards from the beginning. The design partnership between the Architects at WalterFedy, a locally headquartered multidisciplinary firm with a long history in school design, and an Anishinaabeg-owned and operated architectural firm, supported WRDSB in establishing the design for the project and gathering input from students, families, caregivers, and community members.
We promote a holistic approach to supporting inclusive learning and work environments to ensure that all students and staff have the opportunities and resources they need to be successful. We have provided Human Rights learning for some trustees and all senior leaders, including union leaders and leaders of management groups, Principals and Managers.
Additionally, the Human Rights Branch released its Annual Report, which outlines how the WRDSB and specifically the Human Rights Branch, is building a culture of human rights. In alignment with the WRDSB’s Strategic Direction to provide “Equitable opportunities and outcomes,” the report shares how the department is:
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Addressing human rights complaints in compliance with Ontario’s Human Rights Code
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Leading and supporting the WRDSB through human rights and accessibility education, learning and professional development.
We know that representation and hiring staff who reflect the diversity of the students and families we serve is important. We also continue to support fair, equitable and inclusive hiring, as outlined in Board Policy 5000. In addition to hosting and attending job fairs to recruit Indigenous, Black and racialized employees, WRDSB conducted a Workforce Census in spring 2024 to gain detailed insight into the cultural, social and demographic makeup of our workforce. The WRDSB plans to publicly release Workforce Census results later in the 2024/25 school year.
The WRDSB continues progress on its Accessibility Plan, which outlines our plans to meet obligations as outlined under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and promotes and ensures respect for every person’s human rights, dignity and independence.
WRDSB Facility Services staff are improving accessibility and maintaining the spaces where students learn and grow each day. This ensures equitable access to our buildings, programs and services for all of the students, families, staff and community members who learn and work in the WRDSB.
The WRDSB hosted its first Advancing Anti-Ableism in Education Symposium in May 2024. This event brought together educators, community members, families and caregivers, students, and local leaders to learn more about ableism and how to dismantle it in education systems and throughout the community.
In 2024, WRDSB launched the AccessiBe Accessibility Interface on our main website and secondary school websites to provide easier access to information based on individual needs, including accessibility modifications to provide more equitable and accessible communications.
We know that there is still work to be done to ensure that all students and staff feel a sense of belonging and well-being, and students to have equitable access to education and postsecondary pathways. We remain committed to working together to transform education to better serve all students.
Read more about how we’re supporting Sovereignty, Human Rights and Equity:
