STOP the TDSB EETF: NO to De-streaming; NO to Cancelling Specialty Programs; NO to Cancelling Optional Attendance; NO to "reforming" Gifted Programs

Equity means fairness. Does not mean all people have equal learning abilities. How can teachers teach, students learn?

Classrooms are already too full. Extremes of learning styles in each class will make teaching more difficult than ever.

These children in the gifted programs are our future leaders. They should be nourished not starved.

All children should have the same opportunity to learn regardless, so show me better than existing programs first then we can discuss the phasing out the old ones.

These special programs cannot be removed or the education of the children and future of our communities will suffer and weaken. Education is our future and hope, and this is not an area for budget cut.

Gifted children should be encouraged, not have their programs cut!!

'One size fits all' does not work especially in education. We have speciality programs for children with special needs due to handicaps. Children that are gifted also have special needs. As one of the founders with Murray Shukyn, of blessed memory, of the Board's first alternative school SEED I cannot believe the TDSB is taking such a retrograde step. Do not allow Murray Shukyn's pioneering work and contribution to Toronto education go for naught.

The report says that "Once … ALL students have equitable access to enriched programming, optional attendance and specialized schools should be phased out". So fine, put the new enriched programs in place and once they are shown to work better then existing programs, then we can talk about phasing out the old ones. Too often governments at all levels have "great" new ideas to replace existing programs, but the existing programs are cut first and the replacements are slow to come and often inadequate.

It is of great concern to me as a parent that TDSB is planning to dismantle the gifted programme, ostensibly with a view to "promote equity". This is wrong-headed. Research has shown that such project-based learning and peer-enhanced learning works, so it is appalling to know that this change is even being considered. Even at the University level, we are making a change in this direction --- bringing together the best first-year students in small and exclusive classes, and having them interact to foster and nurture their creativity. As a parent with a child in the gifted programme, I also strongly oppose this move for the well-being of my child -- we have seen a clear and marked progress in his learning since he transitioned from the regular grade to the gifted programme. Yes, Equity should be enhanced --- by bringing all other classes up to the level of the gifted programme, and by making such quality education and high quality teaching available to all students. That should be the focus. The first step should be to improve the regular programme to move towards Equity, and not to start by dismantling what works. I hope you will take this feedback into account during the TDSB deliberations about this issue.

TOPS, Arts, IB, the Gifted Program allow a certain type of student to flourish. These students just do not meet their potential in a regular class.

Streaming for science & engineering students is super-important.

The gifted program has been instrumental in my daughter being able to thrive at school. Without it she was an outcast who was bored with the repetitive nature of the math and schoolwork. KEEP IT!

There has been insufficient time for adequate consultation and feedback on these sweeping changes. The new testing methods for "gifted" are actually less effective at identifying gifted students. We must maintain and strengthen robust gifted programmes with plenty of peers and properly trained teachers. Do not Cancel Optional attendance, do not cancel speciality programs, no not reform gifted.

Please keep the gifted program running.

stop the special program like IN, gifted program is a stupid action and against the society development trend

Enhancing equity doesn't mean dragging everyone to same level. Simply to cancel the gifted program, IB and special program will harms the brightest kids.

Gifted program has helped my son stay focused in class, please keep the gifted program.

Gifted program is good for talented kids.

Stop the tdsb EETF, protect congregated gifted programs, protect Toronto's diversity

I am an award-winning screenwriter and novelist from a working class family, none of whom stayed in education beyond the age of 16. I have no doubt that the early days of the so-called 'Gifted Programme' run in Scarborough in the late 1970s & 80s enhanced my education enormously, identified & encouraged my abilities & forged the confidence to continue successfully in education and find my vocation as a writer. Gifted children from economically privileged backgrounds will always thrive. Those without advantage need a thoughtfully run public policy to help them enrich society as individuals who have been enabled to thrive.