Presentation by Soo Wong, Trustee, Ward 20 (TDSB):

Dr. Soo Wong, PhD made a presentation on the issues affecting her ward and the Toronto district School Board in general. There was a question and answer session followed by her presentation.

 (Dr.Lamba , Ned Blair, Iraj Emad, Trifon Haitais and others asked relevant question to Soo Wong and students from her ward.)

The following are the highlights of the discussion.

·        In 2006-2007, the TDSB received approximately $88 million for ESL programming. However only $44 million was spent this past year for ESL program in both elementary and secondary schools. Approximately 2500 elementary students in TDSB did not receive adequate support for their ESL need.

·        There are ESL students who are considered to be at risk of not completing their secondary school credits.

·        A recent University of Calgary study indicated that drop out rates of ESL students are as high as 70%. compared with 30% of other students.

·        The elderly ESL students learning needs must be addressed and it needs support from both their parents and their educators.

·        With the largest ESL student population in the province, TDSB needs to demonstrate leadership in ESL education to the new comer students by protecting the provincial ESL funding to local school boards and ensuring that these funds are used exclusively for ESL purposes and no other operational needs.