[THREAD]:

In 1999, a policy was implemented in Ontario schools that streamed grade 9 students into two kinds of courses: Academic - focused on theory; and Applied - focused on practical application.

In theory, academic streaming was meant to allow students to learn with peers of similar academic ability. In practice, applied level courses limited opportunities for post-secondary education. Black, Indigenous, and low-income students were disproportionately impacted.

This disproportionate impact of academic streaming was a reflection of the prejudices, whether intentional or not, of the educators and counsellors who made the decisions about where Black, Indigenous, and low-income students were streamed.

In July 2020, the Ontario government announced it would be ending the process of academic streaming for grade 9 students as of September 2021, with the Minister of Education acknowledging the racist implications of the practice.

While ending academic streaming is a step in the right direction, there is still work to be done to address how Black, Indigenous, and low-income students disproportionately experience suspensions, expulsions, and failure to graduate.

For educators and community partners ready to do this work, Daring to Do provides a guide to the strategic action needed to create meaningful change in our education system now. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3lArUBT