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Court Case: M5C00P3R-15-4W3S0M3

Students suing The District School Board for ineffective education system
































Amy Bui
Sejin Kim
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Winnie Shi
Joshua Yuan
Court Outline:

Prosecution Judge Defense
Presenting the Case
Opening Statement
Opening Statement
Witness 1a
Cross Ex Witness 1a
Witness 2a
Cross Ex Witness 2a
Lunch Break
Witness 2b
Cross-Ex Witness 2b
Witness 1b
Cross-Ex Witness 1b
Closing Statement Closing Statement


JUDGE PRESENTING CASE: This is case number M5C00P3R-15-4W3S0M3 in the matter of the TDSB.
Present in the courtroom are the defendant and its attorney, the plantiff and the deputy prosecutor. Now
we will hear the opening statement of the deputy prosecutor. You may go ahead.

TWO CHARGES LAID AGAINST THE TDSB: - DO NOT READ
- Failing to prepare students for the future (education system is outdated, encouraging
cheating, limit imagination w/ grades)
- Lack of student satisfaction (kids grade teachers)

PROSECUTOR OPENING STATEMENT
Joshua - lawyer representing the plaintiff (students) - opening statement

Good morning Your Honour, and thank you for being here today. My name is Bobby Chong, and I will be
representing the students in this case. The students have filed a lawsuit against the TDSB for its
ineffective and outdated education system. Two charges have been laid against the school board. The
first is for failing to prepare students for the future. Under section 230.4 of the Ontario Education Act, a
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school board shall ensure that its curriculum demonstrates reasonable and adequate interest in preparing
students for the current workforce. The second charge is for failing to achieve student satisfaction. Under
section 432.3 of the Ontario Education Act, a school board shall demonstrate reasonable and adequate
interest in maintaining positive student satisfaction.

My key witness is the head of the TDSB supercouncil. The supercouncil is a group of students voted by
their peers to represent all students in TDSB. The supercouncil has conducted student satisfaction
surveys themselves, and have also analyzed the finding of another satisfaction survey conducted by the
board itself. I want you to understand that in a case like this that focuses on students, there is no better
expert witness than the one I have brought today. She has been trusted to represent the general student
population for many years.

Now the defense is going to try and make you believe that there is nothing to worry about. The defense is
going to that all of their teachers are qualified, that all their teachers are trained to prepare students for
the near future, and that their teachers are aware of student stress. Theyre gonna keep talking about the
teachers, but they arent going to tell you anything that comes from the students, because as soon as
they ask the students, they lose. Thank you your honour.

JUDGE: Now we will hear the opening statement of the attorney

DEFENSE OPENING STATEMENT
Good morning your Honour, my name is Winnie Shi and I will be representing the defense in this case.
You have just heard the prosecutions side of the story, and you understand that the students are suing
the TDSB for its 16 year long education system. Now despite how old the TDSBs education system is, it
has been constantly evolving to meet the demands of tomorrow.

Your honour, I am a law professor at the University of Toronto, a university that is ranked 1st in Canada,
and I interact with students on a daily basis. 15 years ago, I was a student myself in their exact same
shoes and also thinking how corrupt the education system is. But 15 years later, as a much more wiser
and knowledgeable individual, I can now see the benefits in the education system. It is our duty, as
rightful citizens and adults of Canada to show these students that adults are here to help. The education
system is designed to help and prepare these students for the future of tomorrow. Not the future of
yesterday, but the future of tomorrow.

As the prosecutor already took the liberty of stating my arguments, I am only going to summarize what he
has already kindly said for me. Yes, I am going to show you, your honour, that the teachers are qualified.
I am going to show you that the teachers are working their hardest to train these students to become the
leaders of tomorrow. I am going to show you that teachers know how students feel because not only were
we students ourselves, but we interact with them 5/7 days, each day for 6 hours.

Your honour, I assure you, the TDSB is not afraid to ask students what they think because they know the
answer. It was the TDSBs survey that the students filled out, and it was the TDSB that analyzed it. Your
honour, there is nothing to worry about because the education system is definitely not flawed. Thank you.

JUDGE: Thank you. Now let the deputy prosecutor examine his witnesses.



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PROSECUTOR EXAMINES RACHEL SUMMONS

J: Thank you, your honour. I would like to ask Rachel Summons to take the stand.
J: Rachel Summons, how old are you?
A: I am 18 years old, finishing my last year at Whitemore Highschool.
J: How are you performing in school in terms of academics?
A: I have been on the honour roll for the all three years of my high school education.
J: On September 31, 2014, did you post a tweet on Twitter stating that you were worried for the students
future because you believed that the teachers were failing to teach students?
A: Ya my photography teacher was like k kids make a test for each other. And then I woslike guuurl thats
yo job! But as usual, she ignored me. Then, she went on and said it counted toward our final grade. Man,
I was so mad, I was about to go up there and rip out her dutty weave.
J: How did you perform on this test?
A: I did not do as well as I would have liked, because it was so different. But I did make a lot of mistakes
that I learned from, and that I wouldnt have learned from on a typical test. Mistakes likewell i dunno
J: Please only answer the questions that I ask directly.
A: Yea ma bad.
J: Is this the first time you have experienced a poor teaching style?
A: You mad bruh? Hell naw! Same thing happened in math. And science too! Ya know, I was informed of
a unit test 2 days before the test date. I swear to god dat man hates us. He tested us on things that he
didnt even teach. Like whats up with that.
J: Do those teachers ever offer extra help?
A: Well, ya know, on da first day of school when they read off the course outline, it says extra help is
available. After that, they never bring it up again. But there also those good teachers who come to the
weaker students and tell them to stay after school for help.
J: Okay. Now what do you think about the numerical grading system? How do you feel about it?
A: I think it lowers students self-esteem by a lot, it also lowers students sense of motivation to actually
do well in school. This one time I got below a 85% on a test, and my parents freaked -- they lowered my
monthly allowance! So now i only get $35 a month instead of $40! Ugh the nerve!!! I know now that I have
to get above an 85% by doing whatever it takes. So, sometimes I cheat. I dont do it because I like to, I do
it because I dont want to be disowned. The grades stress me out, because I know that I have to get
above an 85%. So now if I dont get above an 85%, I go to my teachers. I find one tiny negotiable mark,
and I argue that mark until I get it. So now its no suprise that I am on the bad side of many teachers in my
school. Its not my fault though! I just want the marks, so I dont have to live on the streets.
J: Thank you. That was very detailed. I would just like to ask one more question. Do you believe that the
education system decreases a students creativity skills as they get older?
A: In a way yes. I guess it really depends. There isnt a yes or no answer, to be honest.
J: Thank you for your time Ms. Summers. If I can just quickly summarize what Ms. Summers has said it is
that the general population of students are not being taught anything by the education system. The
numerical grading system causes bad teacher student relationships, stress, and dishonest students. Most
importantly, students are not happy with the education system. Thank you, your honour.



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JUDGE: Would the defense like to cross examine the witness?

DEFENSE CROSS EXAMINES RACHEL SUMMONS
W: Yes, I only have three question for the witness.
JUDGE: Go ahead.
W: Thank you. Ms. Summers, you mentioned that you made many mistakes on the student-written test
that you wrote, and that you learned from those mistakes. So let me just rephrase what you have already
said: you learned things you wouldnt have learned on a typical teacher-written, correct?
A: I.*sighs* yes.
W: Thank for your honest answer, it is appreciated. I would also like to point out that you mentioned
grades cause stress, bad teacher-student relationships, and dishonesty. These are all the ugly side of
grades, but what do you think would happen if we got rid of grades? Do you think that you wouldnt work
as hard and that you would stop cheating, and take twice as long to finish an assignment if you could get
the same mark in half the time? Do you think that you wouldnt hold a grudge against a teacher that had
given you a bad mark before? Do you think that relationships would magically change from bad to good
with the change of one thing? Do you...

J: Objection. Your honour, my witness has been asked five or six questions and has not had the
opportunity to respond.
JUDGE: Objection sustained. Winnie, please do not ask double-barreled questions and allow the witness
to respond after each question.

W: Sorry, your honour. But I believe that my point has already been proven. I will move onto my next and
final question: you mentioned that the decrease in creativity skills in older students depends on the
students you ask. Are you referring to the fact that the subjects the students take could relate to a
students creativity skills?
A: Yes.
W: Thank you for your time Ms. Summers, that is all of the questions I have. If I could just quickly
summarize what Rachel Summers is trying to say, it is that lazy teachers apply forms of teaching style
that help students learn mistakes they wouldnt have originally learned through the typical, textbook
teaching style. Additionally, getting rid of numerical grading is not a solution to any of the current
problems. Lastly, the decline in creativity is not a result of the poor education system, it is a result of the
way the subjects are structured themselves.
A: Man, schools soooo ratchet.
*Amy takes a selfie with the judge and leaves.
JUDGE: Okee then... Now we will call a small break where the prosecutor and defense cannot talk to the
witnesses or influence them in any way.



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JUDGE: Now the attorney may begin to examine their witnesses.
*Sejin enters like a boss

DEFENSE EXAMINE MATTHEW LEE
W: Mr. Lee, what is your full name?
S: My name is Matthew Lee.
W: What is your occupation?
S: I am a survey conductor at the TDSB. It has been my job for the last 10 years.
W: How do you feel about working at the TDSB?
S: I love it...

J: Objection, your honour, the question is irrelevant. This case is about how the board treats its students,
not its employees.
Judge: Sustained.

W: What is the mission of the TDSB?
S: TDSBs mission statement is : To enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to
acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic
society.
W: Thank you. As a national survey conductor you must be familiar with student achievements correct?
S: Yea
W: So tell me, how many student graduate?
S: Over 40% of the TDSBs graduates are ranked as Ontario Scholars, more than 80% of our graduates
go on to university or college.
W: Tell me about the different programs that TDSB offers.
S: The TDSB also has a wide range of programs set out to train students to become the citizens of the
future. They train them through the co-op programs, the feeding our future program, nutritious meals
program, building character programs, and the mandatory 40 community hours requirement. Not only
that, but we accommodate our students academic needs with specialized programs such as applied,
gifted, cyberarts, and special needs.
W: In general, do students feel welcome and happy with the teachers and their school environment?
S: The staff at the TDSB consists of 17,415 permanent teachers that are highly qualified, 15,461
permanent support staff that are there to make the students learning environment better. A recent survey
showed that 92% of students feel safe in the classrooms and 93% of parents feel welcome in the schools.
W: Thank you Mr. Lee, for your thoughtful and very helpful answers. It is clear and evident that the
education system works hard to make students satisfied and well prepared for the future. The education
system is supporting the students future and it is doing an effective job. The numbers do not lie.



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JUDGE: Would the prosecution like to cross- examine the witness.

PROSECUTION CROSS-EXAMINES MATTHEW LEE
J: Yes, thank you your honour. But first I would like to mention that the defense is providing arguments
that are not directly related to this case. I want to address the defenses arguments one by one. Mr.
Matthew Lee, you said that 80% of the graduates go onto university or college, correct?
S: Yes.
J: So what does that number mean exactly? Does it mean that 4 out of 5 kids successfully regurgitated
information on tests and survived 4 years of high stress? Does it mean that 1 in 5 kids were built for a
learning style that the TDSB did not provide? I believe that 80 percent is, by no means, an indication of
student satisfaction in school, what do you think Mr Matthew Lee-- the supposedly 10 year long surveyer
that knows the students better than anyone else?

W: Objection, this question is far too subjective and the prosecutor is directly targeting my witness..
JUDGE: Sustained.

J: Mr. Matthew Lee, are students merely regurgitating information or are they learning something that will
help them in the future?
S: It depends on the subject and the student! You cant..
J: It is a yes or no response, either the students are just purely memorizing facts and spitting it out or they
arent. Are they Mr. Lee?
S: ..No..but, it..
J: Youre not telling the truth, are you? How can you possibly know what all of the students are doing if
you are just a math and science teacher? In fact dont students regurgitate information even more so
during the math and science courses? Its all black and white, there is only one answer. Im sure youve
told your students: The answer is in the back of the textbook and dont look at it! Have you told your
students that before?
S: I..you cant!...well, I.. yyye

W: Objection, your honour! The prosecution is arguing the witness!
JUDGE: Sustained, defense, please rephrase or ask a different question.

J: Thank you. Mr. Lee all you have done today is throw numbers and statistics in our faces. And later on
youre just going to throw more numbers and statistics out, because that is the only way you can support
your argument. Let me ask you something, and I want you to answer with words, not numbers. Can you
do that?
S: *offended* Yes!
J: Okay lets see. . would you agree that many students do not like grades, and that as a result, many
have been dishonest, created bad relationships, and been stressed? Would you agree that marks have
made it harder for many students to enjoy coming to school?
S: Uhhh..

W: Objection, your honour. This question is compound. The prosecutor is asking my witness multiple
questions.
JUDGE: Sustained! PLEASE ask the question separately.

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J: Okay, I apologize sincerely. Let me break this down for you Mr. Lee. Would you agree that many
students would prefer not to have grades?
S: Well Yes
J: Would you agree that many students have created bad relationships, been dishonest and stressed
from receiving grades?
S:Only occasionally!!
J: Do you agree, yes or no?
S:....Yes
J: Do you agree that many students do not look forward to coming to school?
S: Not really, I think most students look forward to coming to school.
J: Do you agree, yes or no?
S: ..no.
J: That is all I have for this witness, you honour. Once again, I want to remind you that this case is not
about changing the school boards mission, and it is not about increasing the graduation rate. This case is
about student satisfaction, and preparing them for a future of creativity and innovation. Thank you.
*Sejin leave



INSERT LUNCH
BREAK





JUDGE: Now the deputy prosecutor may examine his second witness.

PROSECUTION EXAMINE OWN WITNESS (AMY) ---turnitin.com *focus on cheaters and outdated
system
Your honour, Id like to present my witness Amy, who is the head of The District School Board
supercouncil.
J: It was just two months ago when you released your student satisfaction survey, correct?
A: Yes, and the results came out about one week ago.
J: What was the most shocking revelation from the survey?
A: I think it was surprising that so many students wanted to evaluate their teachers. People often think of
it as forcing students to complete surveys for the interest of the principal. But my survey reveals that
students want to do it themselves.
J: When I saw your survey, I noticed that you asked for their school average in the past year, but you also
asked if they would feel more comfortable in a school without marks. I noticed that there was no large
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correlation between their marks and their desire to remove or continue the marking system. Is that
consistent with your analysis?
A: Absolutely. Again, people often think that its only the students who are failing that want marks
removed. But the high achievers agree that the numbers are an obstacle to their learning.
J: Its interesting to see how you can have over three quarters of the students in a class agree that the
teacher is struggling to explain concepts clearly, and yet the principal is completely unaware. It shows
that administrators need to take steps to actively seek feedback from students.
J: Now last year, you also analyzed the student satisfaction report that was conducted by The District
School Board, correct?
A: Correct, and I have the report with me.
J: Tell me the percentage of students who feel uncomfortable with their overall school environment.
A: 18% of grade 7 students said they were uncomfortable with their school environment, but that number
gets a lot higher as the grade goes up. By the time they get to grade 12, 36% of students felt
uncomfortable.
J: The report also indicated the percentage of students who were comfortable participating in class,
correct?
A: Yes.
J: And as students move on to a higher grade level, they are less willing to participate in class, correct?
A: Yes. By the time students reach grade 12, the report indicates that 43% of students felt uncomfortable
asking and answering questions.
J: The survey also indicated that students felt less and less comfortable with school adults throughout the
years, correct?
A: Yes, thats correct.
J: How does the number of cheaters relate to the number of students with high averages?
A: It is not directly related. But over the years, the number of cheaters have increased dramatically as
people begin to realize how important grades are but also do not want to do the work.
J: There is a new system you are working on to solve this problem right?
A: Yes. All student work will be submitted to turnitin.com where it will be compared with previous
submissions to identify any plagiarized pieces of writing.
J: Lastly, how much has student creativity decreased between kindergarten and high school students?
A: There has been a decrease of creativity by 20%.
J: Now I understand that this was a 52 page survey, but if I can summarize the results of the survey, its
that as students progress through high school, they become less comfortable with the school
environment, less comfortable to participate in class, and less comfortable with school adults. My
question is: why?
A: In one word, stress. Or marks. If theres a difference. As marks become more important in their senior
years for university admissions, students give themselves too much pressure. School becomes a place to
compete, not a place to learn. Friends become enemies and homework becomes stress. Students
become more competitive with each other, running relationships with each other and their teachers and
cheaters increase where creativity decreases.
J: No further questions your honour.

Judge: Do you wish to cross-examine Ms Bui

DEFENSE CROSS EXAMINE PROSECUTIONS WITNESS- AMY
W: Considering you are the head of the supercouncil, you must have been or are a student yourself,
correct?
A: Yes
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W: So is it safe to say that you know the ins and outs of the students in the TDSB?
A: Yes.
W: Okay, so tell me honestly. Do student learn? Like do students gain knowledge of the world which will
help them with their future jobs?
A: Of course.
W: So students are learning with the current education system, that is obvious. But are all students happy
with the current education system, with the marks and the stress that is associated with it.
A: Definitely not all students.
W: Right. But students are prepared for their jobs in the future, because they have gained a lot of
knowledge through the TDSBs current education system, right?
A: Yes.
W: So, let me summarize this. Students are learning and as a result, they are prepared for the future. But
they are unhappy with the learning process, now why is that? It is because these students are afraid of
being challenged, they are afraid of being judged. Is it true that students who are uncomfortable learn
skills that are helpful in the future?
A: Yes
W: You also mentioned that the number of student cheaters are increasing. As the head of supercouncil, I
would like for you to voice the opinion of all the students. Even if grades are removed, wont slackers still
slack off, and keeners still be keeners?
A: Um...yes.
W: You said that creativity decreased as students got older. But were a majority of the students who
experienced a decline in creativity in the math and science department?
A: Yes.
W: One last question: as the head of supercouncil, you must be aware of the various programs and
resources that the TDSB has to ensure students are feeling welcomed and appreciated in the school
environment. Do these programs enhance the students learning environment?
A: Definitely.
W: Those are all my questions. Your honour, the TDSBs education system is not flawed. It is preparing
students for the future, and as a consequence of a successful education system students will experience
stress. But the education system is helping students cope with the stress through the many resources we
offer, such as guidance counsellors, peer mentors, and the nutritious programs meals. In addition, getting
rid of numerical grades will not get rid of the cheaters and it will not increase creativity.







Judge: Now the attorney may begin to examine their witnesses.

DEFENSE EXAMINE OWN WITNESS (SEJIN)
W: Now I will begin to begin the process of examination to show you, your honour, that students are
being trained well for the future and the education system is not flawed.
W: What is your name?
S: Vernon Kee
W: What is your most recent occupation?
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S: I am a Math/science/robotics teacher in the TDSB at John Polanyi Collegiate Institute, as well as an
Assistant Curriculum Leader. It has been my occupation for the last 25 years.
W: That is very impressive Mr. Kee. Can you describe your interaction with students?
S: Yes, I interact with the students daily. I am a teacher supervisor for 8 clubs and 4 sports teams, and I
also help out at the school with other fundraising or school activities that are going on. I believe that
students are going to be the next generation of leaders, and that we need to train them well.
W: Great. So from your day-to-day interaction with students can you tell us what you think these students
think about the education system and if it benefits them.
S: I believe the education system is great for the students. After all, it is designed for them. But I feel like
the students do not know this. They do not see the amount of energy and work that is being put into this
system, therefore they take it as granted.
W: Right, so the education system is benefitting students and helping them with their future, correct?
S: Definitely so. I myself know that I help improve students future. I have with me a copy of my schools
results of students who have graduated and what their careers are. It is quite exceptional.
W: What do you think about the whole idea of numerical grading?
S: To be honest, it does harm the students in some ways but the benefits outweigh the temporary
damages it creates. Students need a grading system, the other option are comments. With comments,
students do not know where they stand and they need that sense of motivation, competition and
justification. Its just more concrete.
W; Just one more question. What is your take on cheaters, and what is your take on the decline in
student creativity as they get older?
S: Well, cheaters are unavoidable regardless of the school or school board. They always exist, its a
matter of how many cheaters there are. Cheaters only cheat because-
W: Right, but keeping on track Mr. Kee. Do you believe that it is the subjects that hinder the decrease in
student creativity?
S: Yes, definitely. You have the main subjects such as Math and Science, that are very black and white.
Then you have the art subjects that are often very subjective and have a lot of room for imagination. I
think the decline is directly related to the subjects the students are taking.
W: Thank you Mr. Kee. Your honour, Vernon Kee is only one of the many teachers that are making an
impact on students lives. Some teachers may be impacting lives behind curtains, but they are still
impacting it directly or indirectly. As Mr. Kee stated, I am going to summarize: the education system is not
flawed, it is merely being taken for granted by these students. Cheaters are unavoidable and the decline
in creativity is because of the way the subject is structured. There is nothing wrong with the education
system.







JUDGE: Do you wish to cross-examine Mr Kee?
J: Definitely.
PROSECUTION CROSS EXAMINE DEFENSES WITNESS- SEJIN
J: Mr. Kee. Throughout your years of experience, did you ever come across any ineffective teachers?
Like any teachers that were not as passionate about their job as you, lazy, or unwilling to help their
students?
S: Yes But I believe the reason we are teachers is because we have a passion for students.
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J: Please only answer yes or no responses.
S: I understand, sorry about that.
J: So you mentioned that you have come across lazy, ineffective teachers, correct?
S: Yes.
J: So of those teachers, do their students also perform poorly as a result? Performance, in terms of
standardized test results such as EQAO and the literacy test.
S: Yes, of course.
J: So lazy teachers results in poor students. Do you believe that in subjects such as art/english increase
a students divergent thinking, or creativity skills?
S: Yes, without a doubt.
J: Does the education system affect a students creative thinking? As in, does a teachers teaching style
affect how a student will increase or decrease in divergent thinking?
S: Um...yess, teachers..
J: You also mentioned that cheaters are always going to be present, but will the number of cheaters be
reduce if the education system is slightly changed, so in other words: will there be less cheaters if there a
numerical grading system no longer occurs?
S: Honestly?
J: Yes, all answers in this courtroom must be honest. Once again, only yes/no responses.
S: ..Yes.
J: Good. You said the education system benefits students, but would it be of more benefits to students if
numerical grading was eliminated and students started to evaluate teachers?
S: Up to a certain extent
J: Mr. Kee, for the last time, its a yes/no question. Would the education system be better without
numbers and students evaluating teachers?
S: I believe that..
J: MR. KEE! ITS YES/NO.

W: Objection, your honour. It is irrelevant and argumentative. By law, witnesses cannot be asked the
same question twice and my witness does not need to answer the question as it is irrelevant.
Joshua: Your honour, the question is completely relevant and I asked the question twice because he did
not answer correctly the first time.
JUDGE: Continue with your question.

J: Thank you. Please answer the question.
S: I..yes.
J: Have you any personal encounters when a student has been treated unfairly by a teacher or other staff
member in the TDSB?

W: Objection, your honour, privilege. This information is confidential to that student.
Judge: Yes, that is true. Please ask a different question.

J: One last question. Is the education system that the TDSB is currently using created and well fitted for
todays society where technology is evolving so rapidly?
S: ...yes.

J: To summarize, the number of cheaters will decrease and creativity will increase with a slight change in
the current education system. The current education system is outdated and is not as effective as it once
was. The education system needs to be changed to serve its purpose of preparing students for the future.
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JUDGE TRANSITION : Now the the deputy prosecutor may make any closing remarks.

PROSECUTION CLOSING STATEMENT
The TDSB has failed to prepare students for the future. It has taught students that there is one answer to
every question, and its in the back of the textbook. The most important questions in life are not the ones
with one answer. The important questions in life are the ones that have multiple answers, the ones that
require a wild imagination, or the ones whose answer has not yet been determined.

The students have spoken themselves. The students have said that grades turn school into a
competition. They have said that grades are the reason they stress themselves. A fraction have said that
they dont feel safe in school, and that they dont feel comfortable with the school adults. This is a case
about whether the school has satisfied student needs and the students have said no. Its as simple as
that. Theyve said no, and they have no reason to lie.

Your honour, when I began preparing for this case, I was expecting that the defense would find reasons
to justify their lack of student satisfaction. I was expecting excuses, and I was expecting them to say,
Look, we know theres a problem, but we are already doing the best we can. To be honest, I was
surprised that the defense came to this case trying to argue that their students are satisfied. Its absurd.
The defense has failed miserably to prove its case.

I ask you to ensure justice for the younger generation. Justice is finding the school board guilty of the two
charges laid against them. That is the first step towards making the school board aware that something
needs to be done.

Judge: Now the attorney may make closing remarks.

DEFENSE CLOSING STATEMENT
Your honour, and ladies and gentleman, I would like to thank you for your attention this
morning.
As I have stated over many times there is nothing flawed about the education system. The TDSB is doing
everything in its power to make an education system that will create the leaders of tomorrow, and it can
do that regardless of how old the system is. The TDSB know what the students are thinking, they know
that marks create stress and they know that students will be occasionally angry with the system. But this
is the law. The law does not care about the students emotions, the law does not care how this effective
education system may have consequences. The law only cares about bringing justice. And justice will
only be served if you are blind to the personal emotions and attachments we have to this case. The
education system is benefitting students and their future. Even if grades are removed, cheaters will
continue to cheat. The in students ability to think creativity is a result of the study of mathematics and
science. TDSB is not to blame.

The education system needs not to be changed as the school board has not violated the Ontario
Education Act. The education system prepare students for the future and does indeed satisfy students in
the long term. I ask you to render a verdict not guilty on both charges.



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JUDGE FINAL DECISION
The school board has been accused of failing to ensure that its curriculum demonstrates reasonable and
adequate interest in preparing students for the current workforce, in violation of section 230.4 of the
Ontario Education Act, as well as failing to demonstrate reasonable and adequate interest in maintaining
positive student satisfaction, in violation of section 432.3 of the Ontario Education Act.

The prosecution has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the majority of students support the idea of
evaluating their teachers, as many are unhappy with the current education system. The defense has
brought witnesses who have testified that the board hires exceptional teachers who are able to prepare
students and minimize stress, but have not proved that these teachers are using their trained skills to
make the best experience for students.

As to count one, failing to prepare students for the current workforce, the school board has been found
guilty. As to count two, failing to maintain positive student satisfaction, the school board has been found
guilty.

I would recommend that TDSB begin performing student surveys and incorporate them into formal
teacher evaluations. I would recommend the TDSB to develop a 10-year-plan. I understand that it is
unrealistic for this plan to be implemented immediately, and I advise both counsels to communicate with
each other as this plan is developed. Case closed.









16

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