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

I have 4 kids ranging the full spectrum. My youngest is in diagnostic kindergarten and would absolutely flounder in any other environment while my oldest is flourishing in advanced courses. Another one greatly benefited from specialized learning programs. If anything, more support would be better. De-streaming will leave the vulnerable at a loss and the highly engaged bored.

Specialized programs with gifted and arts opportunities are what the TDSB is known for and have produced many globally-recognized Canadians who often site the schools they went to in the media. Taking away these programs would be detrimental to fostering the immense talent that Toronto and Canada are known for around the world. If anything, the TDSB needs more schools with specialized programming.

Bad idea, bad process. Reform the TDSB and their processes instead.

Very bad for special education students who are finding success within specialized programs and smaller classes where they can learn core subjects.

Ridiculous!!! We pay enough taxes so our children can get the help they need at public school. The tdsb should be ashamed to even consider the recommendations!!!

One of those infamous panic reactions of the TDSB again, offering a problem solving approach in an absolutely wrong direction. First of all, what understanding of the definition of "Equity" have the members of the "Task Force" had in mind when starting to "search" and "research"? Secondly, who were the chosen members of that "Task Force" and what interests have they represented? An urgent solution would be a thouroughly revision in the Teacher Education/Training respectfully Educational Leadership Concepts with more pedagogical components. An educational approach, which is targeted at the needs, aspirations and "abilities" of the individual, and designed to stimulate active and constructive learning of the future "Global Citizens".

I can't imagine why the TDSB would even think for one second to cancel some of these proven, successful programs. These changes will reduce educational quality.

Its unbelievable that TDSB is again preparing to compromize quality!! STOP the TDSB EETF!! I say NO to de-streaming, NO to cancelling Specialty programs like Arts, TOPS, IB etc,, NO to cancelling optional attendance, and NO to "reforming" Gifted Programs.

The "bottom line" is - BAD IDEA!!! Here is why: The EETF has relied on input from another report (Sifting, Sorting, and Selecting) to come to the conclusion that getting rid of streaming throughout the TDSB is appropriate. That SSS report only looked at 8 schools and several of those are in areas where the rate of going on to Post Secondary Education is lower than many other schools. It is reasonable to be concerned about why that is but only for those schools since the statistics presented in the report are not supported by the results that would be obtained in other schools. Some very large ones such as North Toronto and Northern Secondary School have been ignored, likely because it is already known they do not have the same issues to contend with. What would the outcome have been if only these two schools, representing about 3,500 students, had been studied? Much, much different and would have produced a different conclusion than removing streaming as the solution to low graduation rates. It is not the answer across the board for all schools and quite possibly, inappropriate for any of them. I have kids, now adults, who were in school when the TDSB decided to recognise, based on an extensive study of kids with superior abilities, that there is a specific need to be met in order to have kids at the top end of the capability spectrum be able to flourish in the classroom. It required streaming them into segregated classes. The Gifted program was brought in. The Gifted program has its own problems and could be much better than it is, mostly because many teachers haven't a clue how to deal with these students in an appropriate way. In spite of that, there is extensive feedback from these students, and their parents, regarding the unmistakable value of the kids being together in a segregated class. It is mostly due to acceptance by like minded classmates rather than enriched exposure to material or subject matter. A secondary benefit obvious in the feedback fr

One size does not fit all. We must keep "congregated gifted program" and "optional attendance".

Congregated Gifted Programs are a good thing! Our main ask is to follow a responsible due process and let the all sides be properly heard around this matter. My fear is that so far a certain agenda has been allowed 18 months of study, while another point of view has only been allowed 4-6 weeks to respond.

Equity should not be treating everybody the same, but giving everyone the opportunity to thrive.

The TDSB should take responsibility and make the effort to identify ALL children who would benefit from these programs, rather than eliminating them. Other school boards test ALL children for gifted rather than the selective approach offered in the TDSB.

Totally agree!

CONGREGATED gifted programs are the way to encourage talented kids to excel in their area of interest resulting in lifelong payback to society.

CONGREGATED gifted programs are the way to produce high flying individuals that society will benefit for many decades of their adult life.

I say NO to reforming gifted programs

Please respect and support students with diverse needs by maintaining the current gifted programs.

Equality is giving each child the best support he or she needs. Each child need a different approach. Equality is not giving every body the same.

Keep congregated gifted classes!