Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

DO NOT DO THIS. Specialized programs are beneficial to both the students and their future.

Things as these are necessary

IF U TAKE OUR ARTS AWAY, YOU TAKE OUR VOICES TOO!

This is insane!

This should definitely be stopped!

As a parent of a student who has been in TDSB public schools over the last 8+ years, I am very shocked when I read the recommendations of the Enhancing Equity Task Force Report. I cannot even believe that the report actually recommends phasing out the specialized programs such as IB, TOPS and MaCS etc, in order to enhance “equity”. We live in a highly competitive world; today’s students at TDSB will compete in a global market when they grow up. These specialized programs will better prepare our young generation for future technology advances and challenges, which are the major driving forces for the future. Eliminating these programs will hurt TDSB students, and eventually hurt our economy. Equity does not mean to put a brake on those hard working and dedicated students. Instead, we should expand these successful specialized programs in TDSB.

Losing these programs isn't about equity it's about deadening creativity and a love of learning. Kids are challenged, engaged and passionate at these schools. This is short-sited and ridiculous. The TDSB should be ashamed.

I hate the TDSB even more

special kids should give chance accepting special progams.

As a teacher, I'm terrified and appalled at what this means for my students. Yes, it's important for every student to have access to high quality programming at every school and in every subject. Of course this should be our goal. But that doesn't mean that opportunities for specialized programming shouldn't exist at all. Why do the two have to be mutually exclusive? This is a whitewashing of our school system that eliminates options and creates homogeneity rather than diversity.

TDSB, PLEASE DON’T TAKE AWAY ALL THESE GREAT PROGRAMS.

Both my daughters attended art schools. Art schools are a needed part of public education. Kids learn better and more when they are doing what they love . Please don't phase out art!

Equity is giving people equal opportunities to learn, be challenged, and do what they enjoy. The way to do that is by creating more specialized programs, not less, so more students can get education tailored to them.

Don't do it

I went to an Arts high school and credit it with so much of why I chose to pursue a BFA in university. Taking away programs is NOT what we need, but rather opening up programs is what is needed! Maybe offering more spaces to students who are in under-privileged areas or creating more after-class programs that are free! Don't take away student's dreams for "equity", allow others to be a part of it instead. Open up the qualifications for these programs, add grants for students who want to pursue their dreams but don't have the means to do so, but taking it away is not sending the right message.

Keep the programs alive

School allowed me to meet like-minded individuals who cared for learning and understanding things on a more deep level. If you take this away from me or any of us, you take away a bit of me little by little with every specialized program shut down, may it be the arts or STEM

I attended Claude Watson School for the Arts and Earl Haig and I wouldn't be where I am now without those arts programs. Taking them away would likely mean that only kids from families wealthy enough to afford private school would be able to benefit from high quality specialized programs, which doesn't seem like it would be equitable at all.

Let students choose their own education path

removing these programs won’t enhance equity... it will lower opportunity for all