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

Very bad idea.

I am against de-streaming Grades 9 and 10 (cancel all “Applied” classes and move all “Applied” students into “Academic” classes). This recommendation would hit LD (e.g. dyslexic) students who are extremely intelligent the hardest as the programs that support these vulnerable learners, such as smaller classes and individualized teaching would be cancelled. This would dump these students into classes of 30 students which would be detrimental to both their academic success as well as their confidence levels. In the spirit of “equity”, all TDSB students, regardless of ability and need, will “equally” not be fully supported or have their needs met in the same classroom. How would teachers be supported to teach a class of significantly varied abilities, while ensuring that all are taught in a way that meets individualized needs? Further, many students in applied levels are doing well and progressing to College, which is a success, and after which they are highly likely to be employed. College should not be positioned as a negative outcome for high school students.

I don't believe that the recommendations that the EETF are pushing through are going to be a net positive for education in the TDSB.

This petition shows how out of touch TDSB is with the education needs of its students. It needs to be taken off the table.

The irony of so much unfairness in the EETF draft report. Appropriate education is a right.

This proposal makes no sense, we need to cater to the variety of needs and talents to students including those that are gifted.

A crazy idea!! Destreaming will be a nightmare.

No to cancelling the gifted program.

The idea of destreaming and cancelling specialty programs flies in the face of honouring and supporting diversity in our students and their learning needs. It also threatens to further overburden our already overburdened teachers by enacting sweeping changes without ensuring adequate teacher training and supports.

Teacher recently retired. Taught alternative school for 20 years. Increase mobility between Gr. 9 levels. Expand specialty options into "priority neighbourhoods"

there is a lot of research into gifted program. It is crucial that it remain destreamed. Please act in the best way for the gifted students, thank you

Do no cancel gifted program. Equity does not mean provide exact same education to all kids who are diversified in their talent. It will be no difference as a production line producing exact same products. Canada is a country that respect diversity.

Kids do not fit into a one size fits all approach. We need to keep the diverse approach to benefit our students and protect our eductation for all for the future.

Congregated classrooms are important.

I am writing to provide feedback on the recently issued Enhancing Equity Task Force Report. I would appreciate you reviewing the below and taking action to prevent the recommendation described below from being implemented. I recently read the Summary and Draft Recommendations of the Enhancing Equity Task Force Report (EETFR) as well as the Full Report of the Task Force and the Recommendations made by the Special Education Advisory Committee in its annual report for 2016-17. While I am in favour of many of the recommendations in the EETFR and applaud the work on this topic, I am very concerned about the conclusions that have been reached regarding the Gifted Program, in particular, the "appropriate placement and integration of students with special education needs into regular classes with the necessary supports." From reading the reports, it seems to me that in an effort to increase "equity" among students, Gifted students are being inappropriately grouped together with students with learning disabilities and students who are eligible for the Home Schooling Program. The needs of these students are vastly different from those of Gifted students and, importantly, the goals and desires of the parents of these students and the research relating to these students are vastly different. Whereas parents of students with learning disabilities and students who are eligible for the Home Schooling Program often believe that in the best interests of their children to be placed and integrated INTO regular classrooms with necessary supports (and there is research to support this), parents of Gifted children often believe the opposite, and no research has been presented that Gifted students do better when integrated into regular classrooms. On the contrary, Gifted children have already been in regular classes typically from JK through at least grade 3 and their experiences in these regular classrooms have typically been counterproductive and non-beneficial for their lea

Diversity is the richness of Canada, it’s not right to give same level of education all the students because they are different as nature of creation.

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

We need to ensure that all students are supported to achieve their maximum potential. We would not want a world where everyone achieves the same outcome. In that world there would be no superstars seeking to cure diseases and teach us how to live better lives.

Please STOP the CONGREGATED gifted program. They have the right to have the education that will make them happy & help them learn well.

These are important programs that should be preserved.