This report was developed by Pathways to Education.

HERE’S HOW THE AUTHORS DESCRIBE THIS REPORT:

This research spotlight outlines the barriers that Black students face in high school and beyond. The spotlight cites seminal studies on Ontario’s education system alongside statistics from the Toronto District School Board.

Findings suggest that Black students often face mistrust and low expectations in high school. This results in Black youth being disproportionately suspended, expelled, and streamed into Applied or Locally Developed Compulsory Credit courses. According to data collected for this report, Black youth report feeling discriminated against by teachers and discouraged from taking challenging courses. As a result of these practices, Black students demonstrate higher rates of leaving high school before graduating, lower post-secondary enrolment rates, and overrepresentation in precarious work when they begin employment.

The literature on this topic stresses the following approaches to minimize or eliminate these barriers: ensuring access to positive role models, helping youth develop networks of support, encouraging participation in career exploration, and joining local youth development programs.