On September 5, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) released its two-year update on the Right to Read Inquiry Report. The report specifically recognized Trent University’s efforts in responding to the initial report’s findings from February 2022 that sweeping changes needed to be made to early years reading instruction and support. 

Across the board, the update highlights that teacher education and additional qualification (AQ) courses, accommodations and professional assessments have not made enough progress. Trent’s School of Education additional qualification courses in reading—all offered fully online—are providing educators across Ontario with resources and tools that support the changes to the curriculum.   

“The Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs regulation requires that additional qualification providers be committed to continuous improvement and quality assurance of their existing programs and have implemented measures demonstrating that commitment,” the report states. “It is promising to see that Trent University takes this commitment seriously. ​The OHRC recognizes and appreciates the significance of the changes Trent has made to align its courses with the new curriculum and the Inquiry recommendations. Trent has shown that with a keen sense of urgency, AQ courses can be changed rapidly.” 

Though this progress is cause for celebration, AQ and accreditation director, Trudy Elmhirst, acknowledges that there is still so much work to be done, as education evolves and young learners continually interact with the world around them, differently.  

“We are so fortunate to have a community of passionate educators that consistently find ways to be responsive to the ever-changing landscape of education,” says Director Elmhirst. “We also recognize that this work is not only focused on one area of education, but throughout all subjects and grades. Our goal has always been and will continue to be one that listens to and collaborates with our educators in field and responds to those needs in a practical and research-informed way.” 

You can learn more about Trent’s Additional Qualification courses by visiting trentu.ca/aqcourses