Toronto Catholic schools to end learning-disabilities program

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A unique program for students with learning disabilities is being shuttered by Toronto's Catholic school board and has become a victim of provincial cuts to special education funding.

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) is the only publicly funded board to offer the Arrowsmith Program, a learning system that has become popular with parents and attracts interest from out-of-district families.

But starting this fall, as a result of financial constraints, the TCDSB has decided that no new children will be admitted and those currently enrolled will finish up their time in the program over the next three years.

"We want to service the child. But we also have to do it within our financial capabilities," Cristina Fernandes, the board's superintendent of special services, said.

But parents question the merits of cutting what they see as a highly successful program that helps some of the neediest children.

Sheila Guerra said her 13-year-old son, Christopher, was placed in the Arrowsmith Program three years ago. She said that he is now at a Grade 4 reading level after entering the program as a non-reader.

"It's not fair," Ms. Guerra said of the board's decision. "They've chosen to cut down the funds for children who need it the most."

The program, which was developed by a Canadian and is offered at private schools, is built on a concept called neuroplasticity. Instead of using traditional approaches, such as providing laptops for those with poor handwriting, teachers believe a students' brain can be trained to overcome 19 learning dysfunctions. Arrowsmith students are given tasks to train their brains, such as wearing an eye patch while tracing shapes.

The Catholic school board began offering the program in the late 1990s, and students are generally in the program for three or four years.

This is not the first time the Arrowsmith Program has drawn attention. The program was cut in 2009 to balance the school board's budget but then revived after parents began efforts to challenge the decision in court.

But the number of students in the program has dwindled down to 21, and the school board will be closing one of the sites in the fall as it slowly moves to end the program.

Ms. Fernandes said the research from the board showed students in the program are not doing any better when compared with other programs for pupils with learning disabilities.

Further, she said that the board is receiving less funding from the provincial government for special education, and has had to pull money from other areas to fund the Arrowsmith Program. The board decided to cut the program last year, but parents are just starting to learn about the changes.

"We have to reorganize to make sure that we're being as efficient as possible, ensuring that students are getting what they're entitled to," Ms. Fernandes said.

Nicole McInerney, a spokesperson for Education Minister Liz Sandals, said it is the board's responsibility to allocate funding, and added that the government would work with boards to "deliver high-quality, evidence-based programs and services."

But Pauline Low said the government and the school board are being short-sighted. She said her 13-year-old daughter, Juliana, has come a long way since entering the program about two years ago. Her reading and understanding of math concepts have drastically improved, Ms. Low said.

"I think they're going to be losing a very valuable tool in the different approaches for special education services," Ms. Low said. "It's really upsetting. It's really disappointing."