Sudbury Catholic District School Board has hired Laura Kuzenko as its newest principal in charge of the Ministry of Education’s Schools Effectiveness Framework – (a Ministry directed initiative designed specifically for the purpose of improving student achievement).

Kuzenko is a former principal of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board having served in that position at both St. John and St. Theresa Catholic Schools before leaving to become Science North’s Director of Education. Kuzenko’s zeal and enthusiasm coupled with her commitment to bringing about increased effectiveness and improved student achievement in both the public and private sector make her an ideal candidate for the job.

In May 2007, the Ministry of Education established a working group representing supervisory officers, principals, federations and diagnosticians to develop an effective school framework which would be used in school boards across Ontario. The key purposes of the School Effectiveness Framework are to;

■ ensure specificity and intent in instruction that responds to student learning needs
■ build board and school capacity in diagnosing strengths and areas which require attention
■ foster introspection, reflection and analysis
■ act as a catalyst for student improvement from within
■ implement high-yield research based strategies
■ provide a forum for consensus building around school improvement
■ communicate, celebrate and build public confidence around school effectiveness
■ assist in planning district strategies as a response to needs identified in school evaluations

Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic School Board, Catherine McCullough welcomes the Ministry of Education’s initiative to support boards in working with their schools to identify strengths and to target areas of improvement. “The School Effectiveness Framework headed by Laura Kuzenko will implement strategies which will continue to improve student achievement at our Board,” stated McCullough. “We will also be able to equip those who work in our schools with the diagnostic skills they need to bring about or sustain improvement.”