ARROWSMITH
Special-ed program gets partial reprieve
September 15, 2009
Kristin Rushowy
EDUCATION REPORTER
A small, successful special education program axed just weeks ago by Toronto's Catholic board has been given a three-year reprieve.
The surprise decision, announced yesterday by Education Minister Kathleen Wynne, means children currently enrolled in Arrowsmith can stay until 2012. No new students will be accepted.
Calling it the "least disruptive" arrangement for learning disabled students, provincial supervisor Richard Alway said the decision also means that a legal challenge by parents to reinstate the Arrowsmith program is over.
Lawyer John Callaghan of Gowlings, who represented the parents pro bono, called it "the right thing to do."
Clint Harder, whose 9-year-old daughter is in the program, said his wife Evette screamed when she heard the news.
"We're elated," he said.
Alway, who took control of the scandal-plagued board last month after Norbert Hartmann and Norm Forma resigned, said the original decision in June was "aligned with the best use of human and fiscal resources" but that "in the interests of the least disruptive arrangements" students should continue.
Since school began last week, parents have complained that no alternative programming has been provided for their children. About 60 had been placed in Arrowsmith for this school year.
Arrowsmith uses cognitive exercises to "rewire" the brain of learning disabled students and costs the board about $175,000 a year.
Toronto Star