School board could make graduation ceremonies more ‘inclusive’ by allowing those who didn’t pass to participate

Ottawa’s largest school board is contemplating doing away with graduation ceremonies and instead opting for commencement ceremonies that will be based on equity, not students getting passing grades.

The shift is not just a change in language, according to the proposed changes put forth by the Ottawa-carleton District School Board. The main difference between a commencement ceremony and a graduation ceremony is that a commencement is more inclusive.

“At commencement, students of all levels of achievement will be able to cross the stage with their peers,” said the OCDSB in a statement that accompanies an invitation for members of the public to comment on the proposed change. “For a variety of reasons, students may not have completed all the requirements for a move on from secondary school. With this change, these students will be able to join their peers and celebrate their achievements.”

Changes to the existing policy, which dates back to 1998, would also mean changes to awards for students, recognizing a wide array of achievements and talent, not strictly academic. Awards will also not be based on gender.

Updates to the policy reflect the OCDSB’S “commitments to inclusivity, social responsibility, and authentic community engagement” as set out in the board’s strategic plan, said the board’s director of education Pino Buffone and associate director Brett Reynolds in a report.

The proposed policy is simply catching up with what is already common practice for school graduations, said Trustee Lyra Evans, who often attends the ceremonies.

Students already cross the stage with their peers, whether or not they have technically passed their final year. That’s because the length of the school year has increased by about 10 days in recent years. Where once the school year ended the third week of June, giving teachers enough time to mark final assignments and exams, that’s no longer the case. This year, the last exam date at the OCDSB is June 25.