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Board Improvement Plan

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Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s 2023-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) is centred on students having a deep and meaningful sense of belonging while experiencing impactful learning outcomes for all. The MYSP has helped to inform a new Board Improvement Plan (BIP) with five measurable goals:
  • Literacy achievement for every student
  • Numeracy achievement for every student
  • Preparedness for the future for every student
  • Well-being for every student
  • Engagement for every student

Grounded in our commitment to a culture of improvement, the Board Improvement Plan (previously called the Board Annual Plan) will be reviewed and updated annually with new indicators.

To view the 2025-2026 Board Improvement Plan, click here.

IMPROVE LITERACY ACHIEVEMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT

What will we do to achieve this goal?

  • We will implement the HWDSB Reading Strategy to build the capacity of educators to strengthen student literacy development in reading and writing in the following ways:

› Ensure there is an effective Tier 1 reading program in every classroom that is informed by comprehensive assessment practices.
› Engage every Kindergarten to Grade 2 student in early reading screening to determine literacy strengths and needs; develop and implement plans to support student progress.
› Provide professional learning for educators on implementing reading intervention programs (i.e., Lexia, Empower, Wilson Just Words).
› Allocate a Reading Specialist to every elementary school to support the development of early reading skills.
› Collaborate with students and families about student strengths, needs and progress in meeting the reading target.

  • We will provide professional learning and coaching across K-12 to model structured literacy practices that foster joy of reading and writing, and value oral language and storytelling using pedagogical practices including:

› Culturally Relevant, Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP)
› Differentiated Instruction (DI)
› Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
› Indigenous Pedagogies

  • We will employ reading intervention supports in every secondary school. 

IMPROVE NUMERACY ACHIEVEMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT

What will we do to achieve this goal?

  • We will grow student competence and confidence in Mathematics by:

› Offering hands-on learning opportunities by leveraging robotics and STEAM,
› Collaborating with students and families,
› Providing rich problem-solving and experiential tasks for students,
› Expanding career connections with math.

  • We will implement the third year of our Math Achievement Action Plan, 2025-2026.
  • We will ensure every school has a designated Math Lead.
  • We will place Mathematics Facilitators and/or Math Consultant support in all Grades 3, 6, and 9 classrooms in priority schools identified by the Ministry of Education.
  • We will provide ongoing professional learning for all Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10 teachers that aligns with the priority action areas of: curriculum fidelity, math content knowledge for teaching, and knowing your student.
  • We will provide professional learning and coaching to build educator capacity in Mathematics content knowledge and pedagogy using effective numeracy strategies including:

› High Impact Instructional Practices (HIIP)
› Culturally Relevant, Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP)
› Differentiated Instruction (DI)
› Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
› Indigenous Pedagogies

  • We will continue to refine effective, evidence-based assessment practices.

IMPROVE PREPAREDNESS FOR THE FUTURE OF EVERY STUDENT

What will we do to achieve this goal?

  • We will collaborate with students and families around the resources, information, and supports that students need to build their Individual Pathways.
  • We will ensure a smooth and effective progression from Grade 8 to Grade 9.
  • We will ensure every secondary school offers credit recovery interventions or credit rescue opportunities.
  •  We will provide a wide range of programs and create innovative partnerships with diverse industries and post-secondary institutions to remove barriers, expand access to pathway opportunities, and support student choice through experiential learning.
  • We will implement a variety of approaches (e.g., Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition, multidisciplinary learning such as STEAM and Robotics), programs (e.g., Dual Credit, Specialist High Skills Major, Apprenticeships, Co-operative Education), and resources (e.g., Credit Recovery) to support secondary students in meeting yearly credit accumulation benchmarks on their path to graduation.
  • We will embed land-based learning experiences within outdoor education and experiential learning opportunities to deepen student understanding of our relationships to the land and to recognize the enduring connection between Indigenous peoples and the land.

IMPROVE WELL-BEING FOR EVERY STUDENT

What will we do to achieve this goal?

  • We will implement the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy (Year 2) and the three priority areas in the Action Plan.
  • We will provide intentional and culturally relevant teaching and supports on mental health so that K-12 students can recognize their own mental health needs and seek supports.
  • We will approach student learning through CIR: Creating the Conditions for Learning; Identity-Affirming Curriculum and Practices; Responding to Student Needs.
  • We will support students and families to navigate external mental health resources, care and support that provide identity-affirming care and nation-specific approaches.
  • We will facilitate students’ understanding of their Human Rights, roles and responsibilities related to their safety and well-being.
  • We will deepen system understanding of the impact of colonial education and intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous approaches to student well-being through the implementation of the Indigenous Education Circle Strategic Action Plan (IECSAP).
  • We will foster a positive learning and working climate that is free from discrimination through education and human-rights accountability mechanisms.

INCREASE ENGAGEMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT

What will we do to achieve this goal?

  • We will provide professional learning for educators that is focused on descriptive and timely feedback and making explicit the next steps in each student’s learning as part of assessment.
  • We will provide students with dynamic academic and experiential learning opportunities that center student voice and choice informed by:

› Culturally Relevant, Responsive Pedagogy (CRRP)
› Differentiated Instruction (DI)
› Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
› Indigenous Pedagogies

  • We will create and leverage innovative physical spaces to enhance student engagement and safety.

This will be accomplished through:

› Safe Schools Action Plan (SSAP)
› HWDSB Accessibility Plan (AP)
› Long-Term Facilities Plan (LTFMP)
› Education Development Charges Background Study (EDC)

  • We will continue to provide professional learning for all school staff on progressive discipline practices, effective conflict resolution, and restorative strategies especially in response to all forms of hate, bias, discrimination, and harassment in schools. This will be informed by:

› Human Rights and Equity Action Plan
› Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression (ARAO)
› Reimagining Wellness – Top 5 Lessons
› Anti-Black Racism Policy
› Anti-Black Racism Strategy
› Restorative Indigenous Educational Wellness
› Special Education Plan

› Uplifting Student Advisory and Student Affinity Group structures,
› Collaborating with students and families,
› Identifying and removing barriers to learning,
› Supporting school leaders and educators.

Image of HWDSB students with tagline "BE YOU. BE EXCELLENT."To learn more about HWDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan for 2023 to 2028, please explore the links below:

 

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Updated on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
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