Toronto District School Board counselors voted to remove all tests, exams, auditions and access requirements to dozens of their schools and specialty programs at a Wednesday night meeting.
Instead, administrators approved a new policy in which students seeking admission to the various dozens of specialized arts, athletics, science, math, and other high school board programs will be based on “l ‘interest’, with a random draw of applicants carried out whenever the demand exceeds the spaces.
The change aims to “move away from a model that only accepts those with proven strength and / or ability” to a model that offers all students who express an interest the same opportunity to enroll in one of the programs.
“It is our responsibility to take steps to improve access for all students where we identify systemic barriers. This new policy will ensure that more students have access to these high-quality programs and schools while reducing the barriers that have long prevented many students from even applying, “said the president. of the Board, Alexander Brown, in a statement.
The existing process of joining the TDSB’s specialized programs has been criticized for favoring students from more affluent families.
The new application process begins in September 2023.
Councilors voted 17-3 with two absences to approve the new policy.
During a consultation process, board staff found that the public missed the battery of tests, exams, and auditions required for students to attend specialized schools given that the board’s French immersion programs do not have this requirement and are based solely on the interest of the applicants.
The use of report card qualifications or payment of application fees will be prohibited in the new system.
But applicants can still submit “declarations of interest,” “demonstrations of creativity,” and, in the case of athletics, a letter from a coach.
Students will also be able to apply for more than one of the approximately 40 specialized high school programs offered 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 the school closest to their home,” staff wrote in a report sent to administrators. “Giving an advantage to students / families who may travel / travel or who may have fewer responsibilities outside of the school day.”