De-streaming

In this video, former Director of Education Erin Kelly and former Superintendent Josh Canty explain why destreaming is happening at the GECDSB. Staff and students share the impact that streaming has had on their own educational pathways, their students' educational pathways and how streaming can influence students' perception of their own abilities.

What is streaming?

In secondary school, streaming means separating students into course types (Academic, Applied, or Locally Developed) as early as Grade 9, which can limit post-secondary pathways.

What is de-streaming?

De-streaming means that students will no longer be separated into applied and academic pathways in Grade 9. The first course to be de-streamed was Grade 9 Math. Other courses will be de-streamed over the next few school years.

Why are courses being de-streamed?

Students benefit through learning alongside their peers, as a range of abilities and interests provide them with greater learning outcomes. Allowing students to select a pathway later, provides them with more time to make informed decisions about their postsecondary options.

Research shows that those who have been historically underserved are more likely to be streamed into applied or locally developed pathways which put these students at a disadvantage.

“Adolescence is a time of significant change. As students develop and explore alternatives, schools sometimes lack flexibility to support them when they change direction or realize that their new plans require them to take courses with prerequisites that didn’t seem important in Grade 8 or 9.” - People for Education (2019)

How will students with special education needs be supported?

Individual Educations Plans will be adhered to in the classroom for students that have special education needs. Classroom teachers will work collaboratively with Special Education Learning Support Teachers (LST) to support students in secondary school.

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The information shared in the chart below is subject to change. Updates will be communicated as changes occur.