OCDSB ponders turning graduations into ‘commencement’ ceremonies

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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.

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“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. 

The national anthem will still be played at commencements and there will still be a land acknowledgement.

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.

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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.

“The policy change is to reflect current practice. The practice has shifted. We need more flexibility at the end of June,” Evans said.

Changes in the length of the school year mean it also takes longer to tally up the winners of academic awards, Evans added. The student with the top marks in a subject in the first semester may not necessarily be the one with the top final marks at the end of the school year. Some schools notify award winners after the graduation ceremony.

Schools currently invite students who are leaving without a diploma, such as those with special education needs, to walk across the stage with students in their year, said education professor Jacqueline Specht, the director of the Canadian Research Centre on Inclusive Education at Western University. 

“Inclusive ceremonies are a celebration of the time students have spent in school. It recognizes that all kids are part of the community,” she said. “It’s a good thing. As our understanding of people changes, so do big traditions. And that’s OK.”

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But Specht adds that awards can be a tricky issue, and awards should not be given out just to be charitable.

“Anytime we have charitable awards, people can tell. We either give awards and we give them honestly and truthfully, or we don’t give them at all,” she said. “We can’t give everyone an award. There are hundreds of kids.”

Certain students may not be graduating with their class, but this should not preclude them from celebrating the milestones alongside their peers in their elementary or secondary school journey, said the OCDSB proposal.

“Students have diverse educational journeys, and all students’ diverse experiences should have the opportunity to be celebrated, including those who have historically faced challenges within the education system, both in the past and in the present.” 

Public feedback on changing the policy can be submitted until March 29. The matter will be before the OCDSB’s ad hoc policy committee on April 4, with an amended policy before the board on April 25. 

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