Media Release from the Society for Quality Education

Education Group Says Arts-Based School Won't Meet Needs of Parents

Toronto , Ont. – November 5, 2007

The Society for Quality Education (SQE) says the Toronto District School Board decision to open an arts-based middle school and a high school for late risers is a good news and bad news story.

“It’s good news because this step at least provides parents with more choice,” says SQE executive director Doretta Wilson, “but it’s bad news because it’s not the kind of choice parents are really looking for.”

The Toronto District School Board might be interested to learn that by far the biggest demand is for academically-intensive, traditional schools. Wilson says many parents have a preference for “traditional model” schools, which use proven and effective instructional methods, especially for teaching the fundamentals in reading and mathematics.

“Given the number of independent schools in Ontario has now grown to over 900 and that school enrollments continue to fall in Toronto, the lack of more innovative alternatives in public education is disturbing,” says Wilson. “The public school system should be seeking to meet the needs of parents. Opening up an arts-based school is not meeting those needs.”

SQE president Malkin Dare adds that her group’s research in places like Alberta clearly indicates what parents are looking for in terms of education.

“The school with the biggest waiting list in Calgary,” says Dare “is a traditional model charter school. It has more than 5,000 on its waiting list. It has provided incentive for regular public school boards to offer similar schools bringing back students to public education.”

The Society for Quality Education is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to significantly improving student learning in Canada . We invite the public to visit our web-site at www.societyforqualityeducation.org to learn more.

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