Toronto, ON, September 24, 2010 – The Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) implementation of progressive preventative programs is helping keep more students in school, indicate suspension/expulsion results released today.
Overall, 2.6 per cent of all students in the TDSB were suspended in 2009-10. This is a 16.74 per cent decline in the number of suspensions over the previous year. The total number of students expelled has declined 13.24 per cent. These statistics are continuing to follow the trend of the past four years, as the percentage of students suspended has dropped each year.
"School safety is our top priority," says Bruce Davis, Chair of the TDSB, "and our recent efforts are very encouraging. But this is about more than stats. It is about creating safe nurturing environments and relationships so every student can thrive."
“The TDSB is deeply committed to raising the academic and overall success of all its students,” says Dr. Chris Spence, Director of Education. “On a personal note, I am pleased to see that more of our students are staying in school engaged in their education experience. Students cannot achieve success if they are not in school.”
Uton Robinson, System Superintendent for Alternative Programs and Safe and Caring Schools, says the TDSB’s conflict resolution programs are working. “We will continue to work with our schools to promote positive student behaviour and specialized in-school programs as solutions to potential issues. For example, many of our initiatives offer students with learning challenges a wide range of educational options.”
Restorative practices, Empowered Student Partnerships/School Action Teams, Let’s Stop the Bullying, the Student Safety Line, Steps to Respect and Peace by Peace are among the many programs and resources offered that help make a difference.
“We are very encouraged by this year’s results,” Robinson says. “They speak volumes to the incredible programs our staff coordinate each day in our schools.”
For more information about the TDSB’s progressive and preventative programs listed above, as well as the suspension and expulsion results, please visit www.tdsb.on.ca/safeschools.