The TDSB plans to deploy as many as 100 literacy and numeracy coaches to work as supply teachers

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The Toronto District School Board plans to redeploy more than 100 learning coaches to work as supply teachers for the rest of the academic year amid staffing shortages.

The changes, however, will also abruptly end the learning momentum among students who are among the most academically behind after more than three years of pandemic-related disruptions.

School boards across Ontario have been grappling with a higher number of staff absences in the past few years. The Ministry of Education temporarily extended the number of days retired teachers can work to 95 instead of 50 without affecting their pension.

Ryan Bird, a spokesman for the TDSB, said on Tuesday that while the teacher-shortage situation has improved since the height of the pandemic, the board is still experiencing “significant challenges” filling absences.

He said the average fill rate, which is the percentage of jobs covered by a supply teacher, is 80 per cent in elementary schools, and 85 per cent in high schools.

“As a result, the TDSB must begin redeploying a number of central teachers to classrooms to ensure that student learning can continue,” Mr. Bird said.

“We value the role of central teachers but our focus must be on maintaining regular classroom instruction for all of our students.”

The reassignment includes 20 early-learning reading coaches, 24 kindergarten to Grade 12 learning coaches, and about 70 middle-years student success counsellors. These teachers typically work with students and staff at a number of schools, helping with reading and math strategies and preparing students for the transition into high school.

They also tend to work in schools located in lower socioeconomic communities.

Last week, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said school boards need to refocus on reading, writing and math. His government introduced legislation that would give it more control over how school boards operate, which includes setting expectations and priorities for student achievement.

At a TDSB’s committee meeting Monday afternoon, reading and math coaches urged trustees to intervene and stop the redeployment.

Jennifer Skilton, an early-reading coach, said the changes would interrupt the work she and others are doing in schools to help students.

“As we know through data … early intervention is key, and coaching builds sustainable change,” she told trustees.

Helen Victoros, president of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, acknowledged in an interview that the TDSB and others are struggling to fill teacher absences. However, she said the coaches provide “critical additional support.”

“The way that we feel this issue should be addressed is by actually having a government that will fund the level of staffing required in our schools to meet our students’ needs. Right now we don’t have that funding,” Ms. Victoros said.