Toll Free: 1-877-482-0722
Ontario's Ministry of Education is committed to addressing systemic discrimination and helping to break down barriers for Indigenous, Black, and racialized students, students from low-income households, students with disabilities, and students with special education needs. As part of this commitment, the Ministry of Education is removing Academic and Applied courses (de-streaming) in Grade 9 and implementing de-streamed courses. De-streaming will help ensure that students have as many opportunities as possible to make good choices about their future.
De-streaming began with Grade 9 Math in September 2021 and will continue in September 2022 with the de-streaming of all other Grade 9 courses. Locally Developed Compulsory Credit Courses will continue to be offered in the 2022-2023 school year.
Information for De-streamed Grade 9 Courses
The new Mathematics Grade 9 course (MTH1W) information was released in June 2021 and is available for educators and parents on the Ministry of Education's Curriculum and Resources website. The new course was implemented in September 2021.
Please click here for information on Grade 9 course selection.
The new Science Grade 9 course (SNC1W) information was released in March 2022 and will be available for educators and parents on the Ministry of Education's Curriculum and Resources website. The new course will be implemented beginning in September 2022.
Beginning in September 2022 Grade 9 English, Geography, French and French Immersion students will follow the current Grade 9 Academic curriculum. Please note that Locally Developed English will still be offered in 2022-2023 school year. In addition, an open level Grade 9 French course will be available for students who have little or no previous French instruction.
Course Descriptions
|
Grade 9 Mathematics (MTH1W) Course Description |
|
This course enables students to consolidate and continue to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts related to number sense and operations, algebra, measurement, geometry, data, probability, and financial literacy. Students will use mathematical processes, mathematical modelling, and coding to make sense of the mathematics they are learning and apply their understanding to culturally responsive and relevant real-world situations. Students will continue to enhance their mathematical reasoning skills, including proportional reasoning, spatial reasoning, and algebraic reasoning, as they solve problems and communicate their thinking. |
|
Grade 9 Science (SNC1W) Course Description |
|
This course enables students to develop their understanding of concepts related to biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science, and to relate science to technology, society, and the environment. Throughout the course, students will develop and refine their STEM skills as they use scientific research, scientific experimentation, and engineering design processes to investigate concepts and apply their knowledge in situations that are relevant to their lives and communities. Students will continue to develop transferable skills as they become scientifically literate global citizens. |
Please see the Ministry of Education curriculum documents for further information on Academic Geography (CGC1D1), Academic English (ENG1D1), Academic French (FSF1D1) and Academic French Immersion (FIF1D1).
Frequently Asked Questions
|
What will de-streaming look like in the classroom? |
| All Grade 9 students will be grouped together and take courses with their peers versus divided into applied and academic classes. |
| What happens in Grade 10? |
| Academic and Applied streaming will remain in place for Grade 10 students. However, the Ministry of Education has released additional materials to support the delivery of the Grade 10 Mathematics curriculum for the 2022-2023 school year. |
| Why the changes? |
|
Ontario is the only province in the country that continues to stream students in Grade 9. The original intention behind Applied courses was to provide a different pedagogical approach to learning. However, over time, the Applied course type has become perceived as less academically rigorous. The practice of streaming has long been criticized as being discriminatory. Research shows students from racialized communities, low-income households, and other marginalized groups are more often encouraged to take applied level courses which then affects everything from graduation rates to employment opportunities later in life.
The Organization for Economic and Cooperation and Development (OECD) (2012) recommends that school systems eliminate streaming for students younger than 15 years of age to ensure that options are kept open for students until they have enough experience to make decisions about their futures.
Ontario students and parents have indicated that they consider course type selection in Grade 8 too early and that Applied courses do not prepare them for success (Chanda, 2020). Research has also shown that students benefit from learning in groups of students of varied abilities and interests in which teachers have high and appropriate expectations for all students and a clear understanding that all students can be successful (OECD, 2012).
Further information on the background to streaming secondary school courses, and the research surrounding the benefits of de-streaming can be found at:
|
| How will the changes help? |
| The Ministry of Education hopes to remove barriers for all students, including racialized students in Ontario, by offering them the same starting point when they enter high school. Ontario is the only province that has divided Grade 9 students into either an Applied or Academic pathway. De-streaming Grade 9 classes allows students and their families more time to explore post-secondary pathway options. |
| How is DCDSB implementing de-streamed courses? |
| The Durham Catholic District School Board has established a De-streaming Steering Committee comprised of administrators, teaching staff, support staff and OECTA representatives to help guide the implementation of de-streaming. This De-streaming Committee meets regularly as we continue the rollout of the new Grade 9 courses.
DCDSB is committed to removing barriers and supporting students to graduate from secondary school and pursue post-secondary pathways of their choice. We look forward to implementing the new de-streamed courses and will share further information and supports available for staff and students as they become available. |
Contact Us
If you have any further questions, please contact your local Durham Catholic secondary school's Guidance department.