ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a description of a new teacher education program, operated under the aegis of York University but situated in the middle of Regent Park, a large, government-owned, low-income housing project extending over several city blocks in downtown Toronto. It begins with brief historical explorations of state schooling systems and teacher education programs followed by a description of the Regent Park community. The York–Regent program was initiated through the fortunate conflux of several structural and personal happenstances; most importantly, the arrival at York University of a long-time Regent Park teacher and principal for a 3-year secondment with the Faculty of Education. York uses a number of criteria to evaluate applicants for admission: their undergraduate grades, whether they have a graduate degree, experience working with youth in school or community settings, reference letters, a personal statement, and an evaluation statement prepared following a personal interview.
