People for Education has released a new report pointing out shortfalls in the system for students taking applied courses.
The education advocacy group wants the government to take action by, at the minimum, getting rid of applied courses for grade nine students. They believe children in elementary school are too young to make such an important choice.
“How could a grade eight (student) even know high school? You are asking them to make critical decisions about a thing (but) they have no idea what that thing is, ” said David Cameron, research director with People for Education.
He also said too many kids are pushed into applied courses by well meaning teachers or counselors.
Grade 12 student, John, who did not want his last name used, said it happened to him and his friends.
“Even if they(students) pick the academic course, they put a red dot by their name saying take applied, like we recommend you take applied not academic,” said John.
That was how he ended up in Grade 9 applied math. But he said when he realized he was more than capable of taking the academic course, he managed to switch.
However, getting out of the applied stream is rare, according to People for Education. They said only 3 per cent of principals report that students often transfer between the course types.
They also said applied courses have not been found to increase student success rates.
“Ironically, when we look at the TDSB report from last year only 40 percent of the kids are graduating who start in applied after 5 years,” said Annie Kidder, executive director with People for Education.
The group, has raised the issue multiple times. A study in 2013, had similar findings. They issued an updated report in 2014. And now another one, with more information and statistics.
Even so, the education minister’s solution is even more studies.
“It’s very important that we look at all the data and then come up with the best solution,” said Liz Sandals.
Her office has provided statistics that show a slight decrease in the number of students enrolled in applied grade 9 math and english. Sandals said those figures are part of a trend with the number of kids going into applied courses declining.
On the other hand, critics have pointed out that there’s a socio-economic imbalance. In the highest income areas of Toronto only 6 per cent of students take mostly applied courses compared to 33 per cent in the lowest income neighbourhoods.
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