Ontario education minister urges parents to keep children in school for sports
Ontario school attendance rules now count more toward final grades in high school. See how the new policy may affect absences, athletes, and parent decisions.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra is asking parents not to take students out of class for sports tournaments as new attendance rules take effect next school year in Ontario.
Under the changes, attendance and participation will count for 15% of final grades in Grades 9 and 10, and 10% in Grades 11 and 12. Students with more than two unexcused absences will not be able to receive the full attendance mark.
Calandra said high school attendance in Ontario is among the lowest in Canada and that school should remain the priority. He said the province will monitor the policy over the next year and may adjust it if needed, while noting that some accommodations could be made for highlevel athletes in training.