SOS TDSB Advocates for Overhaul of Specialized Program Admissions at Toronto District School Board
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOS TDSB Advocates for Overhaul of Specialized Program Admissions at Toronto District School Board
Toronto, ON – May 29, 2024 – 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:
1. 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.
2. Data Provision: The motion requests comprehensive data, including enrollment, waitlist statistics, and course changes, to support the review process and ensure informed decision-making.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Media Contact:
Michael Teper, rmichaelteper@gmail.com
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.
