Trustees of the Toronto County School Board voted to remove all tests, exams, auditions and admission requirements for dozens of its specialty schools and meeting programs on Wednesday night.
Instead, trustees have approved a new policy whereby students seeking access to dozens of high school programs in arts, athletics, science, math and others on board will be based on “interest”, with candidates drawn at random principle when demand exceeds places.
The change aims to “move away from a model that accepts only those with demonstrated strength and / or ability” to a model that will give all interested students an equal chance to enroll in one of the programs.
“It is our responsibility to take action to improve access for all students when identifying systemic barriers. This new policy will ensure that more students have access to these high-quality programs and schools, while reducing barriers that have long prevented many students from even applying, “said Board Chairman Alexander Brown in a statement.
The existing process of entering TDSB’s specialized programs has been criticized, preferably by students from more affluent families.
The new application process begins in September 2023.
Trustees voted 17-3 with two absences to approve the new policy.
During the consultation process, the on-board staff found that the public had seen the set of tests, exams and auditions needed by students to attend specialized schools, given that French immersion programs do not require such a requirement. based solely on the interest of the applicant.
The new system will prohibit the use of scoreboards or the payment of application fees.
But candidates can still submit “declarations of interest”, “demonstrations of creativity” and, in the case of athletics, a letter from a coach.
Students will also be restricted from applying to more than one of the approximately 40 specialized high school programs available in the city.
The board says only 20% of students apply for more than one program.
“Many students can only consider applying to the centralized program or school closest to their home,” officials wrote in a report sent to trustees. “Giving preference to students / families who can travel to work or may have fewer responsibilities outside the school day.”
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