Changes to French immersion in WRDSB schools criticized by some people involved in the process

Trustees with the Waterloo Region District School Board are set to vote on changes to how French immersion is delivered in its schools.

But the recommended changes to be voted on Monday night are being criticized by some — including people who sat on a committee that was tasked with suggesting ways to make French immersion more equitable. 

"I don't feel that the three recommendations ... of the report go far enough to meet my concerns and what I've heard from other parents in the community," Patricia Shaw, who sat on the committee, told CBC News.

Shaw said she wants to see trustees open up the conversation to more parents.

"We hope that the trustees will see that parents deserve the opportunity to talk about the outcome of this committee's work — before they vote to make a change in the name of access and equity," Shaw said.

The school board started its current review of French immersion in 2017 when an ad hoc committee was struck to look at ways to improve the program and make it more equitable. 

Currently, French immersion is offered in some dual-track schools where some classes are French immersion and others are students taking classes in English.

There were three recommendations brought to trustees last week:

Starting French immersion in Grade 2 would give parents — particularly parents whose first language isn't English and who may not fully grasp the benefits of the French immersion program — more of a chance to talk to educators about the program, superintendent of student achievement and well-being Della Lataille-Herdsman told trustees.

As well, French language teaching would increase from eight per cent of the curriculum to 16 per cent of the curriculum for all Grade 1 students.

If approved, the increase in French in Grade 1 would go ahead in fall 2023 and students in Grade 1 that year could apply in January 2024 to go into French immersion in Grade 2.

During a board meeting on June 20, trustee Kathi Smith said many of the members of the committee — which included students, parents, teachers, board staff members, trustees and members of the public — didn't support the final recommendations. 

"I really am concerned about us moving ahead when, as you know … there was not a substantial difference between those in favour of the motion and those not in favour of the motion," Smith said.

Smith, who has been part of this French immersion committee since its inception in 2017, called on the board to hold a special meeting to hear from more people on the issue.