De-streaming

Academic streaming is the practice of separating students into distinct and unequal educational pathways based on perceived ability, leading to Academic and Applied courses beginning in Grade 9 in Ontario.

De-streaming means that schools will no longer offer courses in the Applied stream for Grade 9.

Research shows that de-streaming results in better outcomes for students and particularly for those who are from marginalized communities. Ontario is the only province in Canada that streams students upon entry into Grade 9. Research has shown that streaming students too early has negative consequences that include lower achievement, delayed graduation and increased drop-out rates.

 

• 73% of Ontario students in the Academic stream go to college or university.*
• 33% of Ontario students in the Applied stream go to college or university.*
• 90% of students at DSB1 enrolled in the Academic stream graduate in 5 years.**
• 63% of students at DSB1 enrolled in the Applied stream graduate in 5 years.**

 

*Ontario Ministry of Education. (2017). Ontario Equity Action Plan, ON: Queen’s Printer

**Based on the 2014-2015 Grade 9 cohort at DSB1

Yes, programming in Grade 9 will ensure all students have the opportunity to pursue all pathways in Grade 10 and onwards.

Courses will offer opportunities for student choice in some assignments empowering students to explore topics further. Many tasks will be open-ended offering opportunity for extensions.

Teaching strategies and course content will be culturally relevant and responsive to our students.

 

Students will have choice in how they show what they know in many assignments and students will have choice in how they access new learning material by accessing text, video and audio. This will be supported with the use of the iPad.

Developing a relationship with your child’s teacher(s) through early and ongoing communication is essential to ensure academic success. Parents/guardians/advocates are encouraged to communicate directly with subject teachers. Your child’s guidance counsellor, vice-principal or principal can also be a source of support.

 

All DSB1 high schools have Student Success Teams in place to review student engagement and achievement. They support students in many ways that might involve classroom support, special education and/or student success teacher support, and counselling support if needed.

All DSB1 high schools have a Student Success Program to support students who are struggling academically.  Available supports include: learning strategies, credit rescue, credit recovery and if required, summer learning opportunities.

Teachers will implement the accommodations in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) for students who have special education needs.

 

Teachers will continue to work collaboratively with Special Education Resource Teachers to support students in high school.

The Ontario Ministry of Education has not provided information or direction regarding the de-streaming of grade 10. 

Locally Developed courses support students who have not yet demonstrated achievement of the majority of curriculum expectations in Grade 7 and 8.

 

Locally Developed courses are offered at the Grade 9 and Grade 10 level in the areas of English, Math, Science and/or History.

 

Locally Developed courses prepare students for the grade 11 and 12 workplace courses.

 

Programs at college and university as well as some apprenticeship programs may not accept courses in this pathway for admission.

Students who are recommended to take the Locally Developed course may:

 

• be working on significantly modified curriculum expectations in Grades 7 & 8.
• not yet be working at grade level and require additional support.

At what grade level is my child working independently without modifications? 

 

What is my child’s current achievement level?

 

Is my child working with modifications (changes in the grade level of the curriculum) or accommodations (supports that do not change the grade level of the curriculum)?

Students who complete Locally Developed courses in Grade 9 and 10 are being prepared to go directly into Grade 11 Workplace courses, which lead to employment and/or apprenticeship opportunities after high school.

 

Students who successfully complete Locally Developed courses in Grade 9 could then take the same Grade 9 subject in a different course type, such as de-streamed.  This pathway could then lead to college, apprenticeship or university courses and programs in Grades 11 and 12.

People for Education - The Trouble with Course Choices in Ontario High Schools

 

Making the Case for De-streaming

 

Restructured Pathways - Addressing Streaming from Grades 1 to 12 in the Toronto District School Board