Support specialized programs & schools made possible by optional attendance!

Current education in Canada is already fall back from a lot of other countries, including our neighbor US. Those special education really helps those advanced students moving ahead with the support from school. If TDSB pursue the so called "equal and fair" education taking off those special program, then the the whole school environment will just encourage play, weed, etc. where will be the competitiveness for next generation?

Specialised programs such as MACs and Tops were created to benefit those that are excelling in class. Some students have a passion for leaning and wants more challenges in their life, so the normal programs in school will not benefit them. If these students are to return to the regular programs, they will be bored out of their mind. This is not equity. What the TDSB is attempting to achieve right now is equality. Equity is supplying students with programs based on what they need. Equality is supplying every student with the same programs no matter their strengths and abilities. If this proposal were to be passed, it would be extremely unfair to those specialised program students as all their handwork to study and work for auditions meant nothing. "The Toronto District School Board is a leader in equity" is completely wrong. Please stop ruining things for others, and benefit every student based on individual skills.

Specialized arts programs are meant to enhance the experiences of those who are more advanced in the arts. It provides more in-depth knowledge of their subjects, as well as related performances to practice their skills (as professionals would). By removing specialized programs, these students will not experience the successes they will achieve, and as a result, may not further their education in the arts as they would've have.

I owe my high school's specialized program and the compassionate, hard-working teachers involved to who I am today

We need specialized programs for different learning needs and diverse talented young minds.

I am in grade nine and I would like to say that this program has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. r kid isn't as talented? We're sorry to hear that lets remove the other people's talents too. Everyday I wake up with a smile on my face excited for the next day of school. It would be a shame if not ever kid had the opportunities and experiences I have gotten from the Claude Watson program.

I am a 2015 graduate of the Claude Watson School of the Arts. Being a drama major literally changed the trajectory of my life. I never considered being an actor until I joined this program and since I graduated, I've worked on several Canadian television series such as Degrassi and Murdoch Mysteries. This school opened my eyes to new opportunities and I would hate for that to be taken from someone else.

“This is awful! As a Claude Watson School of the Arts Alumni I can tell you it the risk of the future of the program frightens me. Going to that school changed my life. I understand the need to dilute programs across schools but there is something so unique about submerging yourself in something to truly love and breathe it. And not all want that. But those who do should have access to it. If you want to learn a language they say the best thing to do is travel and submerge yourself in the culture. The Claude Watson school allows you your daily two hours of major (mine was dramatic Arts), plus artistic optionals, plus the abundance of after school activities, clubs and performances related to arts. Our school assemblies were idea of Arts with thousands of students in the arts program and not expressing themselves. The criticality of being submerged in that is that everyone understood that was what the school was about. So it was a safe space. If so many students hadn’t gone out of their way to be there and want to live the arts we would not have had the promoting and supportive culture to expand as greatly as we did. Making us all the same is not equality. Giving all the same chance is. Student at these schools come from all parts of the city, all cultures and social groups. The audition filters those that truly want to be there... to protect the integrity of the programs. I’m sure the program would love to have more space... but I thank the program every day for how it changed my childhood and my life.”

The special arts Claude Watson program helped me through a dark time in my life, which was my dad's battle with cancer. When my dad passed away, school was a place where I could relieve my tension and worries through my passion for music. The communities I created in these musical ensembles were those that could not be duplicated in a simple classroom setting. The arts bring people together, connecting not only minds but hearts and souls.

Try the opposite and phase in specialized programs into all schools.

Please do not put this contry’s future to an end. It is unbelievable that in this competitive world Canada is working on wiping talents from kids

I was not a part of any arts program myself but it does not stop me from seeing the flaws in this move. The specialized programs in secondary education are in fact the way for the future as they provide earlier opportunities to explore, learn, and polish their talents! Generalized form of education will only demotivate students from learning which impacts social control and future of workforce and Canada.

the special program has build up good reputation, why you spend more money to introduce something not sure.

TDSB needs to wake up and realize what is gonna happen afterwards if this was to occur.

I strongly against it! This is ridiculous to phase out all the special education!

If no competition exists, there will be no social progress. Our country is heavily relying on selling natural resource to make living. If we don’t enhance our children’s education quality so that they will be capable of making Canada better in the future, our country will be doomed.

#dont take CWSA away! It's fantastic

I went to Etobicoke School of the Arts and I cannot put into words the the incredible power of the Arts program!

I Disagree with the proposed changes to eliminate the disparities of schools. On the contrary, I believe competition and varieties should exist to meet the different needs of the students. General schools should be encouraged to learn from those sucesssful programs and improve their quality of education. Eliminating those wonderful programs is harmful to the existing public education system.

This is homogeneity, NOT EQUITY.