 People for Education is an independent organization working to support public education in Ontario’s English, Catholic and French schools.  Conduct an annual survey of Ontario Schools.  Hold an annual conference.  Provide speakers and workshops.  Work with policy-makers.  Work with the media.

 P4E started in 1996 as a small group of parents in downtown Toronto who were concerned about fundraising and about cuts to education budgets.  P4E is now:  An influential and persuasive champion for public education.  A purveyor of credible information and original research on education.  A conveyor of important and sometimes difficult conversations on public education among a wide cross- section of people.

 An audit of the education system – a way of keeping track of the impact of policy choices in the 5000 schools across the province.  Based on survey responses from 1,196 principals in English, Catholic and French schools from across the province.

 Keynote Speaker  Morning Sessions  Plenary Panel  Afternoon Sessions  Address by the Minister of Education

 Dr. Alan Sears - Professor of Social Studies Education in the Faculty of Education at University of New Brunswick  Beyond Rocket Science: Educating Citizens for a Complex World  What role do schools play in building students’ citizenship skills and why is it important to ensure that students develop these skills?  Dr. Sears explored citizenship education, where we see it in today’s schools, and the impact it can have on our future.  Citizenship awards are given to students who sit down, shut up and do what they are told. We teach kids to be activists then suspend them when they are!  Does mandatory student volunteering build better citizens? Citizenship and volunteering are not the same thing.

 School Councils: Working together for strong school communities.  Building Better Report Cards: What do we really need to know?  Schools as Community Hubs: How can we implement the action plan to strengthen our schools?  Engaging Parents through Facilitated Conversations  A new way of thinking about skills: Are we preparing kids for long-term success?

 Connecting the Dots: How can public education change the world?  Panelists  Craig Alexander – Vice President, Economic Analysis, CD Howe Institute  Dr. Carolyn Bennett, New Appointed Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs  Dr. Faisal Moola, Director General, Ontario and Northern Canada, David Suzuki Foundation  Wanda Nanibush, Anishinaabe-kwe image and word warrior, curator, and Idle No More organizer  The four experts outlined the big issues of the day – economic, environmental, health, Aboriginal – then engaged in a moderated discussion about what we need from our K to 12 education system to ensure we’re “building” a next generation that is well equipped to face these issues.

 Social Media Strategies for Beginners  Beyond Standardized Testing: Can we measure what matters?  Taking Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations  It’s OUR Education: Building Student Engagement  Special Education: Advocating for Students with Special Education Needs

 Representation at People for Education Conferences

Where to find P4E? People for user/peopleforeducation