Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

Special programs are good for students that have passion and capability to their special insterests. Please don't phase them out!

TDSB is not enhancing equity. It is taking away students' opportunities to grow. This is the absolute worst way to implement "equality".

This can’t be happening.

What is tdsb even thinking?

This is not encouraging, rather this will discourage students and teachers to thrive and being successful in their life.

Please keep these great special programs in TDSB.

Even though people might think this is unfair, i think that shutting down SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS are not what we want. I go to CLAUDE WATSON SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS and guess what?! This school is soooooo amazing. It taught me to cooperate with one another and i don't want to complain but look at all the teachers! they are working so hard to teach us and then you tdsb just shut it down. think of all the teachers that will have no more job in a snap!!! please just don't take this away! OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS A LOT ON THIS DECISION. Basically, this situation is that they want to take away our PRIVILEGES because others don't work hard enough to get it! This is just one of the worst things that could happen to these places, ESPECIALLY CLAUDE WATSON SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS. THE ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL for those who are smart and earned their place in this school. I just don't UNDERSTAND. Thank you for your concerns.

I think the TDSB is missing the point of equality here. Some people wish to specialize in certain things and there is no way these new implementations could nearly make up for what will be lost. That is not equity of education. That is destroying communities out of laziness and lack of will to find a better solution.

We need the historic data or research on how those graduates from these programs achieve in the special area as the program initially set up for. If Lacking money is the major fact, please find such fund or save money from other area.

I believe that specialized programs should not be cancelled because all the students had to try and work for this goal. No one got into the program based on luck, they all had a goal. Once they achieved their first goal, they continued to study and work hard to pass their classes. By cancelling the programs, their effort is put to waste. Students participate in specialized programs to get a challenge and to be around people that have similar hobbies and goal. Thus, taking away specialized programs can cause many negative impacts. It prevents students that are interested in certain activities over others from doing what they like and enjoy. Many of us students have worked towards this goal and doesn't believe that inequality is the correct word to describe the situation. It is not inequal if the TDSB, keeps the programs and helps create access for families that are unable to provide for themselves. If programs re-known worldwide like IB, TOPS and many others are on the verge of being cancelled in the TDSB. Is there a reason why Extended French isn't? I believe that the same idea applies to Extended French because it is also a specialized program that only some schools have. To conclude, it is wrong for the TDSB to take away the dreams of many students that are involved in these programs.

they should absolutely not do this

We are not agree to cancel thosespecial programs

This is SO unfair! I go to Claude Watson School for the arts and I can't believe this is happening!

Thousands of gifted kids will dislike schools if there is any enriched education for them.

I am a student part of the tightly knit community of Claude Watson School for the Arts. Joining this community has educated and supported me so much. I hope this program will continue to benefit future generations and tdsb students. I believe we have a right in this country to be able to be supported and educated to each and everyone’s whole. Taking away these programs that play such an important role in this does not fulfill that.

Claude Watson is an amazing experience for art education for youth.

Nah fahm

Please, please, PLEASE do not phase out specialized programs. Forcing all students to conform to the same standard will hold them back from reaching their full potential. Different students have different strengths, and specialized programs will help them all to excel in their selected fields. Replacing large, prestigious programs with smaller programs in local clusters and will cost the TDSB both financially and in terms of effectiveness of teaching. If the TDSB—the largest school board in the country—phases out these programs, Canada will no longer be considered a world leader in education. Enhancing equity is a wonderful goal, but eliminating specialized programs will not help you achieve it. Equality is giving everyone the same thing. Equity is giving everyone what they need. And students NEED these programs. Without something to challenge them, more advanced students will become bored and their grades will slip as a result. We will lose so many students who could have gone on to achieve great things for the world. You may think that it is unfair that only a small number of students are allowed into these programs, and that is reasonable. But eliminating these programs is not the answer. Reducing overcrowding at schools and taking other measures so that these programs are able to accept more students IS the answer. Joining TOPS was the best decision of my life. The atmosphere, the teachers, the classmates, the lessons—all have helped me and so many other students to excel. For the first time, I felt truly at home. I implore you, DO NOT deprive future students of these opportunities! You, the TDSB, have the potential to increase the quality of education of students all across the GTA. You can achieve equity, not by phasing out large specialized programs, but by ensuring that all students have access to those programs. So! TDSB! STAND WITH THE INNOVATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND ARTISTS OF TOMORROW! DO NOT PHASE OUT SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS!

This programs foster diversity, innovation, and allow students to follow their passions and explore their full potentials.

Please keep these great special programs in TDSB.