Vancouver School Board scrapping honours math, science programs

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Vancouver School Board’s decision to do away with honours math and science programs has sparked criticism from parents, and a past participant who says the move will not actually advance equity.

Eric Hamber secondary is one of only two schools that still offers the option to students in Grades 8 to 10. The accelerated program covers three years of math in just two and is not available for all students. According to the school’s website, students who are eligible to enroll in the programs have “demonstrated an interest” in the subjects, as well as an “attitude and work ethic.” In addition to a faster pace, students will “will learn to function academically in an oral and written sense commensurate with that expected of a class of highly motivated and able students.” in the math program, students participate in extracurricular competitions, and “other enrichment activities”

Programs do not provide enrichment: VSB

The school board says the move will not mean less opportunity for students.

“By phasing out these courses, all students will have access to an inclusive model of education, and all students will be able to participate in the curriculum fulsomely. Teachers support the diverse needs of all students in their classes through differentiated instruction — and this includes enrichment,” a spokesperson writes in an email.

“Honours Math and Science do not provide enrichment – they are simply accelerated courses. It is important to note that a student who excels in math or science will still be able to learn at a level that challenges them and allows them to explore their potential.”

Mini-schools, and advanced placement courses are some of the options the VSB says remain for “students who are interested in extra challenges.” The board also notes that achieving honours standing is not tied to completing these programs, and that the honours English program has already been totally phased out.

Parents start petition 

However, parents of students at Eric Hamber Secondary say the program is a draw, and is not exclusive or inequitable. They have started a petition to save it. 

“Many students chose to attend Hamber at least partly on the basis of our renowned Science and Math Honours programs. We feel you have a duty to honour what you have advertised to our incoming Hamber families,” it reads.

“We strongly support Hamber’s excellent Science and Math Honours Program, which is equitable in that it is open to all Hamber students with extra interest and ability in these STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.”

‘If anything it promotes, and increases inequality’

Andy Yan, is the director of The City Program at Simon Fraser University, and considers himself a beneficiary of these programs.

“Certainly in my experience the enriched and honours programs actually got us on to the first rung of social and economic mobility. The removal of these programs, I think, is a terrible decision that it doesn’t promote equity,” he says.

In a tweet objecting to the cancellation of the programs, Yan describes himself as an “East Van, blue-collar household, VSB kid. Scrapping this option, in his opinion, means less opportunity for kids whose families can’t pay for private school or extra tutoring.

“If anything it promotes, and increases inequality,” he says.

“Now, those that can afford these program will go to them, and those who can’t now don’t have any of these types of programs.”

Yan says the experience students get in these programs is not solely academic, and that he worries the VSB is discounting what happens in these programs and instead focusing on how they are perceived.

“It does provide an academic challenge, and within that academic challenge the ability to develop as a student, but also in terms of preparing for further education in the post-secondary system. As well, it kind of develops a level of social and cultural capital, which I think many of my blue-collar, immigrant class cohorts and colleagues greatly benefited from it,” he says.

“Without these programs, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today much less be able to see the world after I graduated from the Vancouver public school system.”