Etobicoke School of the Arts students see each other in May 2011. SARAH DEA / The Globe and Mail
Toronto County School Board trustees approve policy to change admission criteria specialized schools amid criticism from some families that this would weaken the programs.
The new admission process means students no longer need to audition, submit a portfolio or write entrance exams to be admitted to one of TDSB’s nearly 40 specialized schools and programs, which include the arts, athletics , natural sciences and mathematics.
Instead, each type of specialized program will have a standard admission process, which may include demonstrating “active interest or passion,” according to a new policy adopted by trustees on Wednesday night. Eligible students will be selected at random if the demand exceeds the available places.
Prior to the vote, Colleen Russell-Rawlins, director of education at TDSB, told trustees that she could not run a system in which students did not have access to programs because of their identity, experience, zip code or family income.
“We must remember that public education is for everyone. It is our responsibility to remove the barriers that prevent students from accessing education and to provide them with ways to pursue their dreams and realize their full potential, ”she said.
The changes in the specialized schools caused division between the families and brought to the fore the issues of accessibility and merit.
Some parents argue that the new policy will deny students the hard work they need to gain a place, and will eventually dilute the programs. Others say enriched programs in public schools should be accessible to all students, not just the privileged, and admission should not require a resume or expensive extracurricular activities.
Ms Russell-Rawlins said she had received “countless emails” about the policy change that outlined the dialogue as opposed to access versus quality, justice versus excellence. She said changes in admissions were “an obstacle for students that we are removing”.
“As principal, I can say with confidence that there is no shortage of motivated, passionate and talented students at TDSB who deserve great local programs or the opportunity to attend a central student interest program,” she said.
The board said it would consider giving priority access to students in underserved communities.
The TDSB is also reviewing all of its high schools to include local programs so that students do not have to leave their neighborhoods to access enriched programs.
The specialized schools on board have been subject to inspection in recent years.
In 2017, the council considered removing schools to allocate resources more equitably in the system, especially to those in marginalized communities.
This proposal was postponed after the parents protested. The board promised to study its policies to ensure that all students have access to these enriched programs and that this does not exacerbate inequalities.
A 2017 research report, as well as TDSB data, show that specialty schools do not reflect the wider student population and students in these programs are more likely to come from affluent homes.
The latest TDSB data shows that 63% of students in the Elite Athlete Program identify as white, compared to 29% of all high school students. In the on-board arts program, 55 percent identify as white, compared to 29 percent of the average student population.
Data on the board show that in its leadership program, 66 percent of students identify as South Asian, compared to 23 percent of all high school students.
Some specialist schools, including the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, have already changed their admission criteria to make them more accessible.
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