Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The Madness of the TDSB--Despite Limited Demand, It's Opening Another "Africentric School"

Toronto's deranged school board can't find the funds for music programs but has deemed this a numero uno priority:
The Toronto District School Board is planning to open a second Africentric high school program in September, this time in the west end of the city, even though the first attempt drew only a handful of students. 
Just six students enrolled in the program at Winston Churchill Collegiate last year. “It was announced a little bit on the late side and no one knew much about it,” explained Shari Schwartz-Maltz, spokesperson for the TDSB. 
This year, there are 18 students signed up for the Winston Churchill program, said Ms. Schwartz-Maltz, and “there’s still more kids registering.” 
In addition, Downsview Secondary School will also host the program. 
The Africentric Alternative School, located within a wing of Sheppard Public School, not far from Downsview Secondary, has its first group of elementary graduates leaving for high school this year. By setting up a secondary-school program nearby, students can easily continue their Africentric education should they have the desire to do so, says the board. 
The TDSB opened the Africentric elementary education program in 2009 in an effort to curb the high dropout rates among black students. The program accepts students from junior kindergarten to Grade 8. There are about 190 pupils enrolled, and a waiting list. 
“The reality is the Africentric elementary school has been a very big success,” said Ms. Schwartz-Maltz. 
The curriculum consists of English, French, geography and math, with an Africentric focus. 
Costs to develop the secondary school programs have not been released.
Anyone else think that's because the "Africentric" math lessons (whatever those are) are costing us a fortune?

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