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

Perfect example of the bad implementation of Equity

De-streaming is not a good idea. Many students (of all levels and types) benefit from streaming. Also, separating some students (using specialty programs) has many benefits for ALL students. The EETF seems to have ignored these facts. Many of the EETF's recommendations if implemented would be completely transformational to a system that has been successful for decades, and therefore require very serious study and consideration.

Why destroy something that is working? Do the research - gifted fills a critical need - this is not the answer!

Directly quoted from TDSB website: “Our Mission To enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society.” The Equity Task Force proposals make a mockery of this mandate. Removal of programs and optional attendance, de-streaming, amalgamation of Special Ed programs - these actions are diametrically opposed to TDSB’s “mission”.

this idea of equity via elimination of an entire program that is sorely needed is ridiculous.

Advances in society are often made by the gifted, gifted through no fault of their own. If the education of children is reduced to the lowest common denominator, our society, our Country, will be forever the worse for it.

Cancelling special programs including the gifted program is a terrible plan. It will reduce the overall quality of education for all students. The focus should be on providing more opportunities and access to all students that would benefit from any special education program - not cutting these programs!!

Is French Immersion a special program under threat also? If equity is the goal, then it should be. How far is TDSB going to take this action? When will the homogenization stop? We're not a society of drone workers, we have specialized knowledge, skills and experience that we capitalize on and for which we're rewarded by employers, government and society.

The TDSB Creating Equity by removing learning opportunities is akin to destroying two bicycles among three children to make things fair instead of sharing ride time evenly among the kids.

Reducing enhancement and enrichment opportunities & dumbing down programs so all kids have equal access to a sub par opportunity is a complete failure in leadership. EETF should be about resolving access inequality not reducing quality of education.

I strongly believe that these recommendations are going to adversely affect many children in these programmes as well as society at large.

The TDSB is clearly a group of the most incompetent and idiotic individuals.

Specialty programs have outweighs benefits than costs, so with the others. Therefore, I reject the TDSB EETF recommendations.

Do NOT stream gifted kids into a mainstream classroom!! Gifted programs are colour blind, demographic-blind and address specific learning needs that occur across all parts of the population. It is not for "entitled" families. They are necessary to meet well-researched and documented real and substantive learning, emotional, and social needs of gifted students, including those who are part of the groups targeted by the EETF recommendations. They are also inclusive and equitable: they include many students (i.e. a third or more) who have multiple exceptionalities and other special needs; and congregated gifted programs include (and bring together) all races, backgrounds, and demographic profiles. The racial profile of TDSB congregated gifted programs are actually aligned with the racial profile of the population of Toronto, and any gaps are caused by and fully controlled by TDSB’s choice of this and its predecessor restrictive and inaccurate screening processes. It is a desperately needed program that helps these kids achieve their full potential.!

Our future relies on these students being successful. Successful is being able to reach their potential which all students should have the right to do. Specialized programs allow this to happen.

While the desire to see more equitable outcomes for students across the TDSB is laudable, the report that the Board has obtained does not provide any real justification for the cancellation of specialty programs and gifted classes. Continuously fighting for more funding and higher participation in public education is necessary. Cancelling the successful programs like the gifted stream is not the answer. The program has a proven track record of success and serves the needs of kids and teachers as part of the public system.

It would be a serious concern to see the TDSB fold a program that helps our brightest stars shine and offers extra help to those who need it most. Just like frustrated and embarrassed students who struggle with the standard curriculum, frustrated and bored intellects lead to bad and risky behaviour that can have permanent consequences on their lives. Trying to pretend everyone should be treated and taught the same way is ridiculous.

Gifted children need a separate stream to reach their full potential. Placing gifted students in regular classrooms would lead to division and strife among students, and burn-out for teachers.

Do not "reform" gifted. Congregated gifted is working. Leave it alone.

The actions under consideration ignore the successful efforts that resulted in these important programs. You must re-think.