In April 2008, a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) report noted, among other things, that its Spanish-speaking students were underperforming on standardized tests and quitting high school in greater numbers than the average student.
Last Wednesday, Jan. 12, researchers at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) released a study, billed as the first in Canada, that not only shed light on those numbers, but also offered up some solutions.The study, undertaken in co-operation with the TDSB, reached out to 60 students in grades 9 to 12 from six high schools across Toronto.Students hailed from various socioeconomic backgrounds with varying levels of academic achievement."Developing strategies for addressing these challenges is a major challenge since there is very little research about the experiences of (Spanish-speaking) students in the context of either Toronto schools in particular or Canadian schools more generally," said lead researcher and OISE Professor Ruben A. Gaztambide-Fernandez in a release."While much more research is needed, this report offers some initial insights about the schooling experiences and engagement processes of Spanish-speaking students in Toronto schools."A representative from the TDSB said the board welcomed the study."This study gives us further insights into the issues affecting the achievement of Spanish-speaking students," said Lloyd McKell, the TDSB's executive officer for student and community equity in a press release. "We will use this research in our plans to close the achievement gap for Spanish-speaking students in our schools."In talking to Spanish-speaking students from Toronto, researchers found some common complaints including negative stereotyping, financial hardship and a lack of suitable English-speaking courses.Some quick-fix solutions in the report include peer-to-peer support programs, student jobs that don't interfere with school work and adding courses in Latin American history and culture.The full report is available on the OISE website at http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/oise/About_OISE/news_article_110111.html~ Norm Nelson