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

I strongly disagree with this eetf report regarding proposed changes to gifted program reforms, optional attendance and special ed being delivered in the regular classroom.

Gifted students won’t be happy within normal classes. First of all they can not even make friends there. To be fair to them is to let them stay in their peers and get challenging enough education!

NO to De-streaming NO to Cancelling Specialty Programs like Arts, TOPS, IB NO to Cancelling Optional Attendance NO to "reforming" Gifted Programs

This approach pushes a specific agenda which is not equitable for those who were never given a decent opportunity to voice their opinions and bring forth educational research on all aspects of the issue.

I strongly disagree with the positions taken by the TDSB around the recent report created that makes recommendations based upon an incomplete data set and the potential that these recommendations have to ‘throw the baby out with the bath water” and the large repository of knowledge and experience gained by all participants and facilitators of special programs etc. ideological shifts like those recommended in the report always result in catastrophy and cannot replace gradual organic growth from experience and continual engagement in public consultation and contribution. There are many solutions to budgetary constraints that the community and students have the capacity to find creative responses to if engaged as equals by the TDSB.

My son found his confidence and his voice in the gifted program. No longer an ‘outsider with behavioral issues’ - he is now a bright kid who understands himself and can contribute his ideas , his passion and his dreams to the world without stigma.

If implemented, the recommendations will destroy what works well without benefiting those who deserve better.

The report is poorly written and unconvincing. I want to know how much did TDSB pay for it and why such a lousy work was accepted.

Equality can be implemented in many other ways without destruction of programs with proven success.

no students will benefit from de-streaming. Do not eliminate the gifted programs - all students need to be in a comfortable learning environment to maximize learning.

Our tax dollars can be better spent reforming other parts of the education system instead being wasted on reforming the few things that ARE actually working well.

I do not agree with what TDSB is proposing.

My son was miserable before he joined a gifted class. It is needed as much as other aspects of the special ed programs. Not all children are " average" and do require special programs. Gifted children not only excel in various subjects of the curriculum, they think differently than other children and have little or nothing in common with them.

Not a fan of these recommendations at all! The gifted program is essential to my child's mental health and well being and success in school. These recommendations are over simplified and does not bring value to underserviced communities; it waters down value across the board.

Reaching each child still matters

* Equity is not the same as equality. Inclusivity does not mean homogenization.* Equity in education means providing equivalent opportunity to learn, and it should be said, optimally. Inclusiveness in education means acceptance of the uniqueness of every student. Forcing a wide spectrum of learning abilities and needs into one classroom denies those differences or necessitates a teacher with an equally wide spectrum of educational training as well as enhanced class management skills in order to foster all students’ education equitably. With TDSB’s well-publicized budgetary constraints and teachers already buckling under the weight of larger classes, this will not happen. Students at the extremes of the spectrum will be underserved. Neither group will learn as much as they can at the speed and methodology that is best suited for them and both groups will be demoralized.

I am saying NO

I strongly disagree with the veiled and limited recommendations in this report. It addressed the needs of a few (in unproven processes) at the expense of the many (with proven success). It is short-sighted, negative, and uninformed. Better research, consultation, and options MUST be found.

My son entering gr9 will be negatively impacted by the destreaming in gr 9 & 10. My other son is part of the HPA program and both will attend under optional attendance. More research needs to be done and this should not be rushed to change.

My child needs the gifted program, not only to be able to have a specialized teacher to be able to meet her educational needs; but to be able to feel like she is a part of a community. To eliminate the program and put gifted kids into a normal class room seems that it will breed two things... 1. a teacher who is torn in different directions and unable to give a class the attention that it sorely needs. and 2. a classroom divided. The different teachings and time committed to different students within a classroom will breed discontent and jealousy. A couple gifted kids in each class vs. having a separate class will ostracize the gifted children from the rest of the class. These gifted classes create a community and sense of belonging, please don't deprive our children of that.