On Tuesday night, the District School Board of Niagara approved the implementation of a new regional school dedicated to low-income students whose parents did not attend post-secondary education. The DSBN Academy, which will start in September in Welland, is thought to be the first of its kind in Canada, and will offer advanced curriculum, tutoring, mentoring, parental involvement, before- and after-school support, nutrition programs and free transportation.
The literature on access emphasizes that a holistic approach is necessary, which simultaneously tackles access barriers through several supports early in life, including academic, personal, financial and parental supports. The use of a multi-pronged strategy has been critical to the progress of other successful outreach programs, such as Pathways to Education. From the initial plans, it appears that the DSBN Academy is taking this message to heart, and attempting to implement a holistic approach.
Unsurprisingly, reaction from the public has been mixed. Many see it as an innovative idea that will provide considerable help to the students who need it most. Others understandably worry about the effects of segregation, and feel these kinds of supports should be broadly available in all schools. There is also some concern that the application process, which requires students to demonstrate motivation for pursing post-secondary studies, may prevent some students who would benefit from extra support from enrolling.
OUSA has been emphasizing for years the importance of early outreach in primary and secondary school, as a necessary part of a strategy for closing the stubborn post-secondary education participation gaps of many underrepresented groups. Many government access initiatives have been implemented with mixed success, and it will be interesting to watch the results of DSBN Academy. As a Niagara native and a student representative at Brock University, I will certainly be watching with interest.
- Daud Grewal
VP University Affairs, Brock University Students’ Union
