/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative and Ontario Institute for Studies in Education to present results from the Model School project/

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, Walpole Island First Nation, the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative, and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto are pleased to release the results of their five-year Model School project on February 24, 2015.

The Model School project was implemented by the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative in the 2009-2010 school year. The purpose was to provide training and support to teachers and principals in schools operated by Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation in order to improve students' achievement in literacy. Julia O'Sullivan, Dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, was the Chief Advisor and designed the program and its evaluation.

The success gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians has deep roots, most of which stem from low literacy levels. Because of this, improving the quality of education provided by elementary schools on reserve must be a priority.

Media Opportunity

What:	Release of final evaluation and results from the Model School project
Where:	Canadian Native Centre
	16 Spadina Road, Toronto ON, M5R 2S7 (near Bloor Street)
When:	Tuesday, February 24th between 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Speakers:	Right Honourable Paul Martin, founder, MAEI
	Dr. Carlana Lindeman, Education Program Director, MAEI
	Dr. Julia O'Sullivan, Chief Advisor and Dean of OISE
	Chief Tom Bressette, Kettle and Stony Point First Nation (Hillside School)
	Chief Dan Miskokomon, Walpole Island First Nation (Walpole Island Elementary School)

Please note that Mr. Martin, Dr. Julia O'Sullivan, Dr. Carlana Lindeman, Chiefs Tom Bressette and Dan Miskokomon, principals Cathy Hampshire and Steve Styers will be available for interviews during the press conference and after the announcement. 

About MAEI:

MAEI was established in 2008 in order to develop and facilitate lasting solutions to improve elementary and secondary school education outcomes for Aboriginal Canadians. MAEI brings together Aboriginal organizations, the business community, post-secondary institutions, First Nation schools and provincially and territorially-funded school boards to implement programs to support Aboriginal students. MAEI believes that the development of knowledge and skills will provide Aboriginal youth with greater opportunity and an incentive to complete secondary school and continue their education into post-secondary studies.

MAEI has five major projects across Canada: Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program, the Accounting Mentorship Program, Promising Practices in Aboriginal Education Website, the We Stand Together campaign in partnership with Free The Children, and the Model School Project at  Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and Walpole Island First Nation.

MAEI is currently developing a First Nations Principals' Course and an on-line Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship Program.

SOURCE Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative

Lucie Santoro, Administration Director, MAEI, [phone] - cellular, [phone] - office; Steve Robinson, Director of Strategic Communications, OISE, University of Toronto, [phone]