Parents within the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) are expressing frustration over the limited availability of the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) exam for their French immersion students. Only 48 out of 128 applicants have been selected to take the exam this semester, leaving 80 students on a waitlist.
Previously, the exam was offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, the board has now implemented a lottery system due to capacity constraints, which began in 2023. This change has blindsided parents like Melissa Milks, whose daughter, a Grade 12 student at Erin District High School, was not selected for the exam this spring.
UGDSB Superintendent of Education Denise Heaslip acknowledged the impact of teachers being away from their classrooms to administer the exam, as it requires significant resources. However, she emphasized that the DELF is optional and not a requirement for receiving a French immersion certificate.
Some parents feel disappointed by the lack of communication from the school regarding the changes in the exam selection process. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the cost disparity between taking the exam through the school board ($40) versus external options like Alliance Française Toronto ($195).
Noelle Doherty, another parent, worries about her daughter’s ability to take the exam before their planned move to British Columbia, as the dates offered by Alliance Française Toronto do not align with their schedule.
While UGDSB has indicated they won’t reimburse additional fees for students opting to take the exam externally, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has no limit on the number of students who can take the exam and does not employ a lottery system.
Overall, the situation highlights the challenges of meeting the high demand for language certification exams within school boards and the frustrations experienced by students and parents when faced with limited opportunities.