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New Collaboration with U of T Opens Doors for TDSB Students

Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Categories: Great Things

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is proud to collaborate with the University of Toronto (U of T) to help make post-secondary education more accessible to students.

A new program called Support, Engage, Experience U of T, or SEE U of T, will provide students from communities that have historically been marginalized and underrepresented at post-secondary education institutions with the opportunity to take undergraduate courses and experience campus life.

Beginning in September 2019, the first pilot will include approximately 30 students from Downsview Secondary School and Runnymede Collegiate Institute and a second cohort is planned for the U of T summer session in July-August 2020. As part of the program, students will take a semester-long course, participate in co-op placements on campus and take part in other experiential learning activities.

Students will have all the supports they need to succeed in earning a high school (4U) credit, co-op credits and a U of T half-credit to put toward a university degree. This includes administrative support, library access, academic advising and textbooks provided by U of T, as well as a monitoring staff member, two co-op teachers, transportation and other services provided by the TDSB.

“One of the goals of the TDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan is to provide equity of access to learning opportunities for all students and this new partnership is aimed at doing just that,” said Kathy Witherow, Associate Director, Leadership, Learning & School Improvement. “We are committed to promoting all pathways to all students and our hope is that after participating in this program, these students will view post-secondary education as a viable destination and will be well prepared to succeed beyond high school.” 

SEE U of T has come together thanks to the hard work and collaboration of staff from both the TDSB and U of T. This is an incredibly valuable learning opportunity and we are proud of each and every student who will be welcomed into the University of Toronto community in the Fall.

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