Strengthening Our Learning Journey is the third progress report on the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework, 2007 (the Framework). It looks at progress made since 2013, during the third phase of the Framework’s implementation. This third progress report uses both quantitative and qualitative data to assess progress, and shares perspectives and insights gained from Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, parents, communities, and education partners. The report also describes the many collaborative partnerships that have been created or deepened during this period between the Ministry of Education, Indigenous partners, and education partners. These partnerships support the shared goals of improving First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement and well-being and increasing all Ontario students’ awareness and knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, perspectives, and contributions. The report highlights continuing progress in connection with the ten performance measures set out in the Framework, focusing on the experiences shared by students, parents, communities, and educators and the impacts of the Framework’s implementation in provincially funded schools. While the report acknowledges the achievements and progress made with the Framework’s implementation, it also recognizes that much remains to be done to support and strengthen Indigenous student achievement and well-being and to increase our shared understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, perspectives, and contributions. Strengthening Our Learning Journey concludes by taking a look at the journey ahead and making recommendations for next steps to help grow and deepen Ontario’s Indigenous Education Strategy across the province.

Electronic reproduction. Une publication équivalente est disponible en français sous le titre suivant: Renforcer notre parcours d’apprentissage : Troisième rapport d’étape sur la mise en oeuvre du Cadre d’élaboration des politiques de l’Ontario en éducation des Premières Nations, des Métis et des Inuits, 2018.This publication is available on the Ministry of Education’s website, at www.ontario.ca/edu.

1. Introduction -- 1.1 Background -- 1.2 Purpose -- 1.3 An Evolving Context -- 1.4 The Organization of the Report -- 2. Realizing the Vision -- 2.1 Telling the Story -- 2.2 The Framework’s Performance Measures -- 3. Supporting Students -- 3.1 Supporting Students û Performance Measures -- 3.1.1 Student Self-Esteem -- 3.1.2 Transition to Provincially Funded Schools -- 3.2 Practice Highlights û Supporting Students -- 4. Engagement and Awareness Building -- 4.1 Engagement and Awareness Building û Performance Measures -- 4.1.1 Parent Participation -- 4.1.2 Knowledge Sharing, Collaboration, and Issue Resolution -- 4.1.3 Improving Knowledge about First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Cultures and Histories -- 4.2 Practice Highlights û Engagement and Awareness Building -- 5. Supporting Educators -- 5.1 Supporting Educators û Performance Measures -- 5.1.1 Increasing the Number of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff -- 5.1.2 Professional Development -- 5.2 Practice Highlights û Supporting Educators -- 6. Using Data to Support Student Achievement -- 6.1 Voluntary, Confidential Indigenous Student Self-Identification -- 6.2 Student Achievement û Performance Measures -- 6.2.1 Student Achievement Results in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics -- 6.2.2 Graduation Rate of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Students -- 6.2.3 Credit Accumulation as an Indicator of Student Achievement -- 6.3 Practice Highlights û Using Data to Support Student Achievement -- 7. Looking at the Journey Ahead û Next Steps.