About Save Our Schools

Toronto, ON – Save Our Schools (SOS) is welcoming the long-overdue elimination of the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) controversial lottery-based admissions policy for specialized secondary school programs.

“We shouldn’t gamble with our children’s education, but for three years, the TDSB did just that,” said Marcin Pęski, a spokesperson for Save Our Schools. “We predicted this social experiment would lead to a decline in academic standards and a mismatch between students and the demanding curricula of these specialized programs. Unfortunately, our expectations were confirmed.”

Since the lottery was implemented, there have been clear signs of its failure. There was noticeable drop in performance in competitive events like math contests and even attempts to remove rigorous programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) from the specialized category to avoid the lottery’s impact. Replacing auditions, exams, and portfolio reviews with random chance undermined the very purpose of these programs, which were designed to nurture exceptional talent and passion.

“This is a critical turning point for Toronto schools, a move that prioritizes education once again,” said Pęski. “This positive change could not have been accomplished under the previous Board of Trustees, whose leadership prioritized ideology over excellence. We thank Minister of Education Paul Calandra and TDSB Supervisor Rohit Gupta for listening to the concerns of parents and educators and doing the right thing for students.”

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Save Our Schools (SOS) is a coalition of students, parents, educators and community members focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and excellence in public education. SOS was founded in 2023 and is a registered Ontario not-for-profit corporation.

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Toronto, ON—A new analysis of University of Waterloo math contest results shows that the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) 2022 admissions policy change, which replaced exams with a lottery for specialized high school programs, has had a dramatic negative impact on student achievement.

The University of Waterloo runs nationwide mathematics contests, including the Pascal Contest (Grade 9) and Cayley Contest (Grade 10), which are recognized as leading indicators of mathematical excellence.

Save Our Schools (SOS), an education advocacy nonprofit analyzed the results for Toronto students from 2016 to 2025. Key findings from the report include:

• The implementation of the central lottery admissions process coincided with a sharp decline in TDSB student performance in the two contests.
• In 2024, there were four TDSB schools ranked in the top 20 for the grade 10 math contest (2 with specialized programs and 2 without specialized programs). In 2025 (the first year where the grade 10 students were selected via lottery admissions), there were no TDSB schools ranked in the top 20.
• Grade 9 results for the lottery cohorts (2024 and 2025) fell to about 50% of previous levels, while Grade 10 results for the first lottery cohort (2025) dropped to roughly 25% - 30% of pre-lottery performance.
• This decline is unique to TDSB. No comparable drop occurred in other Toronto or Ontario schools that did not implement a similar admissions policy. The data cannot be explained by COVID-19 learning loss, nor students leaving for non-TDSB schools.
• Instead, the evidence points to a causal link between the lottery and lower performance, likely due to disruption of supportive learning environments and peer networks.

“These results are alarming,” said Marcin Pęski, who co-authored the analysis. “By depriving students of the opportunity to realize their potential, the lottery system failed the basic goal of public education. The result is clear: Toronto students are falling behind in math.”

Save Our Schools is calling on the TDSB to replace its admissions lottery policy with a new merit-based model that promotes excellence and opportunity for all students, including in mathematics.

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Save Our Schools (SOS) is a coalition of students, parents, educators and community members focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and excellence in public education. SOS was founded in 2023 and is a registered Ontario not-for-profit corporation.

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Toronto, ON – Save Our Schools (SOS) TDSB, a coalition of students, parents, educators, and community members dedicated to promoting student achievement and well-being, is urging the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to uphold democratic principles by holding a by-election to fill the trustee vacancy in Don Valley West. The vacancy was created following the election of former TDSB Trustee Rachel Chernos Lin (Don Valley West), to Toronto City Council on November 6, 2024.

On Wednesday, TDSB Trustee Weidong Pei (Willowdale) will present a motion to the Board, advocating for a by-election rather than an appointment process to select Chernos-Lin’s successor. The motion highlights that a by-election would ensure transparency and democratic participation, allowing residents of Don Valley West to choose their representative.

“The TDSB exists to serve the community, and the community deserves the right to elect their trustee,” said Michael Teper, spokesperson for SOS TDSB. “Appointing a trustee behind closed doors undermines democracy and disenfranchises voters in Don Valley West. The cost of a by-election is a small price to pay for preserving the integrity of local governance.”

Trustee Pei emphasized the importance of respecting democratic values in his motion. “The principle of local democratic control is at the heart of public education,” said Pei. “This vacancy should be filled through a full and fair electoral process. The people of Don Valley West must have a voice in choosing their representative, especially with over 1.5 years left in the term.”

SOS TDSB urges the TDSB to prioritize democracy and accountability by supporting Trustee Pei’s motion.

The group is calling on all stakeholders to attend the meeting on Wednesday and voice their support for a by-election, as well as email the Minister of Education at minster.edu@ontario.ca.

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May 29, 2024

TORONTO, ON — SOS TDSB, a dedicated advocacy group committed to ensuring a non-partisan educational environment, applauds the motion to be presented on May 29, 2024, to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) Governance and Policy Committee advocating for no politics in schools.

The motion stems from the rising concerns from parents and the public regarding political activities within schools, advocating for a clear separation between academic instruction and personal political views. It also reflects directives from the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, who has emphasized the importance of keeping divisive ideologies out of Ontario classrooms.

The motion, led by Trustee Weidong Pei, aims to establish and enforce guidelines that prevent the misuse of TDSB resources for political activism. Key components of the motion include:

• Policy Review: The Director will present a report by September 30, 2024, detailing existing TDSB policies that maintain appropriate professional boundaries and outlining measures to enforce these policies.
• Enhanced Guidelines: The motion calls for the development of new guidelines to prohibit political activism in teaching practices, including the use of educational platforms to promote political propaganda or hatred.
• Transparency in Curriculum: The Director will create accessible public lists of curricula and educational resources used within the TDSB to ensure parents are informed about what is being taught to their children.
• Alignment with Provincial Standards: The motion recommends adopting the Province of Ontario’s Days of Significance Calendar to prevent the politicization of school events and ensure consistency.
• Professional Advisory: The Director will request the Ontario College of Teachers to issue a professional advisory, reminding educators of their duty to remain neutral and professional in their roles.

“SOS TDSB believes that our schools should be a safe and inclusive environment focused solely on academic achievement and personal development,” said Michael Danishevsky, a representative from SOS TDSB. “We must maintain a clear distinction between education and personal political views to protect the integrity of our educational system and the well-being of our students.”

For more detailed information on the motion, please refer to the full document at: bit.ly/3X1tVfA

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SOS TDSB is an advocacy group dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and excellence in the Toronto District School Board. The group works to ensure that all students receive a high-quality education in a non-partisan and inclusive environment.

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May 29, 2024

TORONTO, ON — SOS TDSB, a dedicated advocacy group supporting transparency and excellence in education, will present a motion today urging the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) to revise its current admissions process for Specialized Programs. This motion follows significant concerns raised by the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, regarding the transparency and effectiveness of the existing Student Interest Programs Policy (SIPP).

The motion, to be presented at the TDSB Governance meeting on the afternoon of May 29, addresses critical issues and proposes substantial changes to restore excellence in specialized education. Key points of the motion include:

• Review of SIPP: The motion calls for the TDSB Director to review the changes made to specialized program admissions and initiate a new, open, and transparent policy review consultation by August 28, 2024.
• Data Provision: The motion requests comprehensive data, including enrollment, waitlist statistics, and course changes, to support the review process and ensure informed decision-making.
• Consultation Plans: The motion outlines the need for detailed plans for a transparent policy review consultation process, with full disclosure of all feedback and responses by December 15, 2024.
• Restoration of Excellence: A plan to restore the quality and scope of specialized programs is proposed, focusing on maintaining local program control, reinstating specialized courses, and eliminating local quotas.
• Creation of New Programs: The motion proposes the creation of new Student Interest Programs in additional locations, with admissions based on demonstrated interest and passion, by February 15, 2025.
• Ongoing Data Updates: The motion emphasizes the need for ongoing, data-rich reports on program applications, curriculum offerings, and student achievements to ensure transparency and accountability.

“SOS TDSB believes that this motion is a critical step towards enhancing the quality and accessibility of specialized education within the TDSB,” said Michael Danishevsky, a representative from SOS TDSB. “It addresses many of the systemic issues that have plagued the current admissions process and sets a clear path towards greater transparency and excellence in our schools.”

The motion comes after Minister Stephen Lecce expressed serious concerns about the state of specialized program admissions at TDSB, highlighting issues such as data omissions and a lack of transparency. SOS TDSB is committed to addressing these concerns and advocating for a better education system.

For more detailed information on the motion, please refer to the full document https://soschools.ca/s/SIPP-Motion.pdf.

About SOS TDSB: SOS TDSB is an advocacy group dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and excellence in the Toronto District School Board. The group works to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education and opportunities to succeed.

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TORONTO, ON – The Richard Bilkszto Award and Scholarship are now accepting applications. The Richard Bilkszto Award of $500 will recognize an educator who exemplifies the qualities that Richard embodied: a dedication to excellence in education, a commitment to equality of opportunity, and a devotion to his students and their well being. In a similar vein, the Richard Bilkszto Scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to an undergraduate who is accepted at Teachers’ College in Ontario, and who seeks to further the ideals of freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, fairness, the merit principle, and a commitment to excellence in education.

“With these awards, we hope to recognize achievement and inspire future leaders in the education profession, both of which were very important causes for Richard,” said Natasha Mansouri, Chair of the Board of Friends of Richard Bilkszto, a registered Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporation which is administering the scholarship.

All of the Board directors knew Richard personally and are committed to preserving his memory. “Richard Bilkszto was a treasured friend and educator who left an unforgettable impact on countless lives. His legacy of kindness and inspiration continues to resonate deeply with me,” said Board director Anthony Furey.

Richard was a Canadian educator who dedicated 24 years of his life to the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). He passionately pursued his commitment to education and positively impacted the thousands of students who passed through the schools where he served as a beloved principal. Richard dedicated himself to assisting marginalized and struggling students from diverse backgrounds and age groups, exemplified by his leadership in the Toronto chapter of the non-profit Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism (FAIR). He tragically passed away in July 2023, and these awards have been established to honour his legacy.

Applications and third-party nominations will be accepted until March 15, 2024, with the award and scholarship to be presented in April of this year. Donations to the scholarship and award fund can be made through GoFundMe and information on submitting an application can be found on the website at richardbilkszto.ca.

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TORONTO, ON – A petition asking Ontario Minister of Education, Hon. Stephen Lecce to pause the lottery-based Toronto District School Board Student Interest Program (adopted May, 2023) (“SIP”) has been posted by Toronto Asian Parents Association (TAPA), Guardians Vote, ConcernedParents4ArtsTDSB, TOPS Parents Group, and Save Our Schools TDSB (SOS TDSB).

“The TDSB is not being honest about the goals and the new application process of the Student Interest Program and the lottery system,”

“They say they are designed to increase access to students, but consequently deny access by weakening the programs over time and shifting kids into their home school, regardless of interest or ability.” said Bethany Bergman of ConcernedParents4ArtsTDSB.

Since the inception of the SIP there have been serious concerns regarding its transparency, accountability, rollout, and outcome(s) for students throughout the TDSB:

• Lack of transparency. The TDSB’s purported goal of creating equitable access to programs through the SIP lottery is not in fact designed to improve access, but to pave the way for the closure of specialized programs and schools in the TDSB within five years. This five year plan to eliminate choice for parents and students including eliminating optional attendance and specialized schools was openly discussed in a meeting of TDSB officials on December 8, 2021. The minutes to this meeting were obtained by a parent group by way of a Freedom of Information Request.
• Expression of interest - or not. TDSB has no plan to evaluate a student’s “expression of interest” on the SIP application. They are asking students to spend time on a portfolio they have no intention of reviewing.
• Disguised cost-cutting measure. The lottery is a means of diminishing enrollment in specialized schools and sending teachers instead to “home schools”. The TDSB Director envisions a school model that would remove all student choice and limit kids to their “home school” which is contrary to the TDSB “student choice” narrative.
• Poor outcome. There is no data that a lottery system that removes merit from the selection process will prepare kids for post secondary success. Independent research shows that a lottery does not increase access for racialized students but disengages kids who want to pursue their passions.
• Poor learning environment. Students who strive for excellence in their related discipline benefit by being placed in classes with similarly skilled and motivated students. The lottery system places students with mixed levels of learning and aptitude together, making it impossible for teachers to follow a specialized curriculum and destroying the standards of specialized programs.
• Plagiarized staff reports. A staff report presented to trustees on the SIP was corrupted by plagiarism and concocted by a TDSB staff member from the research department. This report was then used by trustees as a basis for decision-making affecting thousands of students.
• Waitlists. Waitlists for programs were arbitrarily closed or deleted, leaving students and parents with no information about participation in SIP and no options other than their home schools.
• Violence in schools. When students are not provided with engaging programs the incidents of school violence increase. This was the conclusion of the Roots of Youth Violence report authored by the former Chief Justice of Ontario Roy McMurtry and cabinet minister Alvin Curling in 2008. The TDSB has failed to implement many of these recommendations.
• Student mental health. In a 2022 TDSB survey, students showed a significantly lower level of belonging at school. The TDSB’s one size fits all approach to education does not engage students. Another analysis of a 2020 cross-national research study of Canadian youth aged 11 to 15 revealed a higher prevalence of hopelessness, loneliness and nervousness, and a lower level of self-confidence among youth in grade ten than youth in grade six. In all cases, girls reported having positive mental health less frequently than boys. Returning to merit-based specialized programs for students with demonstrated levels of high achievement and high commitment, will better equip students for successful career paths, and thus will increase feelings of belonging, and reduce stress about inadequate career preparedness.
• An actual solution. The most equitable way of giving students the equal opportunity to access specialized learning opportunities is by providing more exposure to them in earlier grades. Enriching arts, academic and sports programs at the middle school level would allow students to explore their interests and compete for the program of their choice in secondary schools.

“The TDSB needs to pause the Student Interest Program and return to a system that considers both merit and interest. We implore Minister Lecce to act before these programs are destroyed and a generation of kids loses out,” said Susan Lee, President of TAPA.

By instituting the lottery system in the SIP the TDSB has made no effort to prepare students for the demanding programs they will face after high school. Instead of setting kids up for success, the TDSB has set them up for struggle and dropping out, further diminishing the quality of specialized programs.

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Toronto, ON – SOS TDSB and Friends of Richard Bilkszto are proud to honour the life and legacy of the esteemed educator at a public commemoration to be held today, 2-4 pm, at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto.

Richard was a beloved educator, colleague and friend, who mentored thousands of students across the GTA, but tragically passed away in July of this year. This public event will feature testimonials and an announcement of an award and scholarship to honour Richard’s legacy for the next generation.

“The Richard Bilkszto Award will recognize an educator who exemplifies the qualities that Richard embodied: a dedication to excellence in education, a commitment to equality of opportunity, and a devotion to his students and their well being,” said TDSB Trustee Weidong Pei.

In a similar vein, the Richard Bilkszto Scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate who is accepted at Teachers’ College in Ontario, and who seeks to further the ideals that Richard embodied both as a teacher and human being.

“Richard was not just a great educator, but a great friend to so many people,” said teacher Natasha Mansouri. “He is greatly missed and his friends want to ensure that his spirit lives on through this scholarship.”

The award and scholarship will be presented annually by the Friends of Richard Bilkszto. The public will be able to nominate candidates online at www.richardbilkszto.com where there will be a full description of the award and process, as well as how to donate to support the scholarship fund.

Friends and colleagues of Richard will give testimonials at the event, including Anthony Furey, Columnist, Weidong Pei, Trustee TDSB, Dennis Hastings, Trustee TDSB, Mike Ramsay, Trustee WDRSB, Dr. Ragini Sharma, Toronto Asian Parents Association, Natasha Mansouri, Educator, Jon Roberts, Educator. Tasha Kheiriddin, Writer, will MC.

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TORONTO, ON – We mourn the passing of Richard Bilkszto, beloved educator, humanitarian, friend and member of SOS TDSB.

Richard worked with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) for 24 years. He dedicated his life to education. He didn’t have his own kids, but touched the lives of thousands who came through the schools where he was a beloved principal. He was an anti-racism advocate who led the non-profit FAIR Toronto. He visited his elderly mother every weekend to take care of her. Richard was well-known and respected by his peers, and a person who was extremely passionate about and dedicated to his job.

Today, Richard is no longer with us. He ended his life on July 13, as a result of events which undermined his mental health and well-being. As his family related in a statement, these events began in 2021, when Richard attended an equity seminar held by the TDSB during which he felt bullied and humiliated by the presenter. Richard filed a claim against the WSIB in which the investigator found that, “Based on the information on file, I am satisfied that the conduct of the speaker … was abusive, egregious and vexatious, and rises to the level of workplace harassment and bullying,” and that the facilitator intended to “cause reputational damage and to ‘make an example [of Richard].’”

Richard subsequently filed a claim against the TDSB which is currently before the courts and was reported in the National Post. According to his family “the stress and effects of these incidents continued to plague Richard. Last week he succumbed to this distress.”

Richard’s death should never have happened. We call on the TDSB to publicly apologize to Richard’s family for the bullying of their beloved son, brother and uncle. We also call on the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, to investigate and ensure this never happens again. Our schools must champion equality, but in a manner that is respectful. We must let all voices be heard, and not shut them down.

Richard Bilkszto was a great man. He contributed so much to the fight for quality education, for fairness and a better school system, and we are all so much poorer for his loss. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, and the thousands of students and colleagues he knew, and loved, and who loved him in return.

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TORONTO, ON – This Wednesday, a motion is coming before the TDSB calling for data collection on its new lottery admission process for specialized schools. This motion is accompanied by a minority report requesting the review of the lottery policy in its entirety, starting in September.

SOSTDSB is calling on all TDSB trustees to support the request for a minority report in light of evidence that the goal of the lottery policy is not to improve access, but to pave the way for the closure of specialized programs and schools in the TDSB within five years.

This intent is contained in the minutes of a December 8 2021 meeting in which TDSB staff discuss a five-year plan to eliminate choice for parents and students including optional attendance and specialized schools. These minutes were obtained by a Freedom of Information Request and can be accessed in totality here.

The following excerpts from these minutes reveal the views of TDSB staff on SSP (Student Specialized Programs):

Ellen Walsh: If we change policy and no Optional Attendance for anything. This would revolutionize things. If had a 5 year plan and lots of resources to get there it might work. Until we take away the choice, we are stuck.

Lorraine Linton – The 5 yr. plan is necessary because of the implications. The need to be strategic in our plans because everything we do impacts other decisions. If we remove SSP and have a plan for this and TDSB looked at the implications, are we saying that local schools will be viable as local schools?

Stephanie Todorovich – Some SSP were placed in schools to solve right sizing schools. Concerned that we are tweaking policy to make it equitable, see it may cause harm. Don’t want to just band aid the procedure. We are the system, we set this up for decades but not an excuse to keep going. Bigger picture is right sizing schools, composite schools, and getting rid of SSP.

Reiko: Know this is just one piece of an on-going process (blue wheel), looking at right sizing schools, closing schools. All of these pieces are part of a larger plan (5 year plan), how do all these pieces fit 2gether and the ramifications

Since this meeting, Reiko Fuentes is now the centrally assigned principal to administer the TDSB lottery.

“I am dismayed but not surprised by these revelations,” said Michael Teper, spokesperson for SOS TDSB. “Back in 2017, the TDSB attempted to cancel the Specialized Schools altogether, which failed after an enormous outcry from parents and students all over the city. Now, there is clear evidence that the destruction of these programs has been on the agenda for years. These facts make obvious the need for a complete review of the lottery admission process.”

Added SOS TDSB member Amanda Platt, “As a parent, I am shocked and saddened. Our children need choices. Their educational needs are not all the same. Instead of destroying specialty schools, we should have more of them, to ensure all kids get the education they need to reach their full potential.”

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TORONTO, ON – Two parents’ groups opposed to the TDSB Students Interest Programs policy have sent a letter to Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce calling for a provincial review of the TDSB due to its failure to exercise good governance and its reliance on falsified research to justify its Student Interest Program policy.

At the May 17, 2023 meeting of the Planning and Priorities Committee, TDSB staff presented a “Literature review on meritocratic perceptions of public education and diverse learning opportunities” in support of the Student Interest Program, which replaces a merit-based admissions system to specialized programs with a lottery. While designed to increase equity, the lottery has been criticized for eliminating merit, removing student choice, failing to set students up for success, and paving the way for reduction in standards.

A review of the TDSB research in support of the lottery conducted by University of Toronto Professor of Economics Marcin Peski found that it is materially misleading and plagiarized, riddled with false citations, quotations without attribution, non-existent sources, and other violations of basic principles of academic integrity. Among his findings:

• 20% of the report’s 90 citations are completely fake
• Up to 55% of the text has been plagiarized without attribution

“Based on my analysis, it is highly probable that the document was created using ChatGPT or an analogous tool, without any oversight,” concludes Pęski. “This clearly violates the TDSB’s own policy on Academic Honesty, as well as any basic standard of academic review.”

In response, Michael Teper, spokesperson for SOS TDSB, stated, “We are appalled that the TDSB, which governs the education of our children, would so blatantly falsify research to support its policy decisions. This casts doubt not only on the value of this program, but of others based on similar research produced by the TDSB, including policies that affect student safety.”

In addition, the groups highlight significant concerns with transparency, data omission and manipulation, secretive amendments, failure to aggregate sufficient data from the consultations, due diligence and benchmarking, erratic operational decisions, and information flooding of trustees. They also note that the waitlist for Student Interest Programs has been destroyed by the TDSB, resulting in seats in specialized programs going unfilled for the 2023-24 school year.

“As a result of gross mismanagement of the lottery process, the TDSB has failed to achieve its own goals, which is to increase attendance in these programs, not decrease them,” said Bethany Bergman, of ConcernedParents4ArtsTDSB. “They are failing students and will destroy these valuable programs.”