Toronto approves Africentric alternative school

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To address the underachievement of Black students, the Toronto District School

Board has approved the creation of a K-5 alternative Africentric school, reports

Education Canada. The curriculum will integrate the histories, cultures and

contributions of people of African descent and the school will be housed in an

unused wing of an existing K-6 elementary public school.

After lengthy debate in the community and despite concerns that it was a

return to segregated schools, the Board narrowly approved of the proposal. The

alternative school was proposed by two parents. Parents supporting the Black

focus school claimed that the public school did not offer their children a

culturally meaningful curriculum, role models who can support identity

formation, high academic expectations or learning environments in which they can

achieve them.

As for segregation, supporters say de facto school segregation based on

income already exists. About 200 pupils are expected to enroll. Current plans

call for a 3-year pilot program to develop a model for integrating the

histories, cultures and contributions of people of African descent into the

curriculum in three other elementary schools and for a staff development,

research and innovation centre for improving school achievement of marginalized

and vulnerable groups.

Debating Values: Race, Class and Academic Achievement, Education Canada, Fall

2008, pp. 16-20.

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