Toronto,September 13, 2006- The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is encouraged by the significant improvement in the province-wide reading, writing and mathematics test results for Grades 3 and 6 students.
“We congratulate our students, parents and teachers in working together to make significant gains in student achievement,” said Rick Johnson, president of OPSBA. “In public education, our goal is to provide programming and support that allows each student to reach his or her fullest potential. Trustees, directors of education and senior staff are working together to foster learning environments for continuous improvement.”
The province has set a clear target that 75 per cent of 12-year-olds are able to meet the provincial standard (Level 3 on the scale of 1 to 4, or grade level B) by 2008. The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) today reported that school- and board-level results from province-wide testing confirm a general upward trend in student achievement, particularly when viewed over the past five years.
The number of Grade 3 students who successfully reached the provincial standard of Level 3 (or grade level B) has risen to 68 per cent in mathematics – an increase of two per cent; up three points to 62 per cent in reading; and up three points to 64 per cent in writing. The results for students reaching the provincial standard in Grade 6 show an increase by one percentage point in mathematics to 61 per cent; up one point in reading to 64 per cent; and up two points in writing to 61 per cent of students reaching the provincial standard.
The number of Grade 9 students in academic courses who have reached or exceeded the provincial standard in math increased to 71 per cent. Students in the applied courses showed improvement.
The purpose of provincial tests is to provide school boards with information that will guide them in improving student performance. As is the case with all EQAO testing, the results will be critically examined and used to develop improvement strategies.
“While we celebrate today’s results we must keep in mind that improvement is not a single event. It is a complex process requiring purpose, and the commitment and hard work of students, parents, teachers, principals with the support of senior leadership teams and trustees,” noted Rick Johnson.
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association renews its commitment to work with the government to ensure success for all students in Ontario’s schools.
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For more information, please contact:
Jeff Sprang
Communications
(416) 340-2540
