Has the tdsb lost its census?
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In its 2006 census the Toronto District School Board has finally taken a new step toward the improvement of education by consulting
those most affected by policy decisions: the students. However, this may be a step in the wrong direction. The census’s controversial questions about sexuality, race, and background are an attempt to find the information necessary to tailor programs to groups of students that currently have major issues in school, like high drop-out rates and bullying. It is time that schools finally started addressing some of the deep-seated issues that our diverse board faces.
“We’re the first school board in Canada to ask questions of students so we can figure out what it is about our school system
that does not allow some children to succeed,” Director of Education, Gerry Connelly, told the Toronto Star during Student Census Week. Schools based on cultural-perspective learning have been proposed, but programs related to sports and arts are receiving less attention. Funding for these programs has been cut, and so the enrichment from physical and artistic activities is not as commonly available to students.
So what can we expect from the TDSB as far as change?
Unfortunately, it is likely the census will become a political tool to quiet criticism of the board's inaction. We can only hope it will get more than the lip service that has been paid to student calls for better funding of extra-curricular programs and arts. Perhaps it will, now that there is a firm voting mass pushing for something
to be done about the inequities that plague their communities'
youth. It may seem a little utilitarian in theory, but perhaps the school board should focus on problems affecting students as a whole rather than problems affecting specific groups. Surely, if those in power can suggest whole schools dedicated to Africentric learning, we can begin to see some progress in the allocation of funds for ESL, music, and, perhaps, even after-school programs for all students. That leads us to the focus of much of this edition of The Jarvis Jargon—student voice—and we urge our readers to make theirs heard.
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