Student Interest Programs Policy

In 2022, The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) adopted a new policy called the Student Interest Programs Policy. This policy is designed to improve access to specialized programs in secondary schools by removing barriers such as geography and entrance criteria (e.g., auditions, entrance exams, grades, high level of competitive play outside of school). Now, prospective students will have to demonstrate interest in the program offered. If more students are interested than space permits spots in the program will be allocated according to a lottery.
The specialized programs affected include: Arts, Cyber ARTS, Exceptional Athletes, Elite Athletes, Integrated technology, International baccalaureate, Leadership Pathway, and Math, Science and Technology programs. Find out about these programs here.
Not everyone supports the changes this policy brings to the admissions process to the district’s specialized programs. Some people are calling for a return to selective admissions criteria. Others don’t think the new policy goes far enough to ensure all children have access to highly-desired programs.
Consult at least three sources (e.g., research reports, academic literature, interviews, media, books, #BlackinSchool) to form an opinion about this policy. I suggested some sources in the wiki posted in this block, but you are not limited to these ones.
Then, in your first post for this week, explain whether you: a) agree with the new interest-based policy; b) disagree with the policy and support a return to a merit-based approach; c) disagree with the policy and propose an alternative to interest- and merit-based admissions approaches; or d) disagree and advocate the elimination of specialized schools and program. State your position explicitly in the first line of your post. Then, citing at least two sources, defend your stance in about 300 words.