T.O. could see black-only school

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Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says he is opposed to the idea of a black-focused school in Toronto, which could open as early as next fall.

"I don't think it's a good idea -- I'm not personally comfortable with that," McGuinty told reporters on Tuesday.

"I think our share of responsibility, particularly in this magnificent diverse society that we enjoy, is to look for ways to bring people together."

The premier said a strong public system is the best way to help children of any race receive the best education.

He held the same viewpoint when the notion of black-focused schools was raised two years ago.

At that time, the proposal caused an uproar between those who warned of segregation and those who believe black teachers and role models would help black students do better in school and increase graduation rates, the Toronto Star reports.

Toronto District School Board members are floating the idea again because they say the board is failing some students of colour.

The proposal calls for an "African-centred alternative school" from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 that would have more black teachers, black mentors, more focus on students' heritage and more parent involvement, the Star reports.

The school would teach the Ontario curriculum, but parents have asked that it emphasize leadership and prepare students for university, as well as have an "Africentric" focus, the newspaper reports.

Such a school would be a first in Ontario, and possibly Canada. Some U.S. cities already have the program in place.

Two community meetings are planned over the next week to discuss the black-focused schools idea, and a staff report is expected later this month on how the concept would work. Board trustees would have the final vote.

The board has been piloting several Africentric social studies units in Grades 6, 7 and 8 at numerous schools in the northwest part of the city and has run an Africentric summer camp near the troubled Jane and Finch corridor in recent summers, the Star reports.

The board already has a grade school and high school for First Nations students and an alternative high school for gay and lesbian teens, the newspaper reports.

The community meetings will be held: