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The Near North District School Board continues to close the gap with the rest of the province when it comes to reading, writing and mathematics.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) http://www.eqao.com. has released the results of the Primary Division (Grades 1-3) and Junior Division (Grades 4-6) Assessments that were written by all Ontario students during the last school year.
The results for the schools across the Near North District School Board varied from school to school but the trends showed positive results in Grade 3 and Grade 6 reading and writing.
In comparison to the previous year’s results, reading and writing results demonstrated growth of up to 5% more students met, or exceeded, the provincial standard.
But math continues to be of particular concern for the Board in both grades 3 and 6, said Near North Superintendent of Programs and Schools Tim Graves.
A review of the Provincial Grade 6 math responses by EQAO indicates that students are able to consistently demonstrate their math knowledge but have difficulty applying their math knowledge, particularly in problem solving.
“For example,” says Graves, “It’s one thing for a child to understand what the answer to 3 x 6 is and what the answer to 6 x 3 is.”
“Do they understand there is a difference between the two?”
“Would you rather be one of three guys with $6 or one of six guys with $3? They’re not the same thing,” explained Graves.
Grade 6 mathematics results are of concern, not just across the District, but across the province.
“Ontario’s elementary schools do a very good job developing student reading and writing skills. We’re still not seeing the same kind of achievement in math, and aggressive efforts to turn that around must continue at all levels of the education system,” said EQAO Chair Brian Desbiens.
Graves agrees.
“Our key numeracy goals for this year will focus on improving student’s perception of themselves as math learners along with teaching students to engage in deeper thinking about math concepts then learning to apply their thinking in problem solving situations.
“While math continues to be a problem,” Graves told BayToday, “we’re doing a good job at closing the gap, and if you look at where we were three or four years ago we're almost at that provincial standard.
“We have some work to do in math, there’s no question, but we’re very pleased with the work that’s going on in our schools in moving those things along.”
Results of Students in Near North District Elementary Schools
Reading and Writing
- 67% of Grade 3 students and 78% of Grade 6 students are now meeting the provincial reading standard, an increase of 11% and 6%, respectively, over the past three years.
- 69% of Grade 3 students and 72% of Grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing. This represents an increase of 5% and 6%, respectively, over the past three years. Media Release September 17, 2014
Mathematics:
- 52% of Grade 3 students met the standard in 2014 compared to 55% in 2012 and 53% in 2013, indicating a 1% decrease from last year.
- 38% of Grade 6 students met the standard in 2014 compared to 51% in 2012 and 50% in 2013. This is a 12% decrease from last year.
For more information: www.nearnorthschools.ca
EQAO School and School Board Profiles and Reports
Infographic: EQAO Provincial Assessments 2014
EQAO’s assessments measure student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics in relation to Ontario Curriculum expectations. The resulting data provide accountability and a gauge of quality in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. By providing this important evidence about learning, EQAO acts as a catalyst for increasing the success of Ontario students.
The objective and reliable results from EQAO’s assessments complement the information obtained from classroom and other assessments to provide students, parents, teachers and administrators with a clear and comprehensive picture of student achievement and a basis for targeted improvement planning at the individual, school, school board and provincial levels.
EQAO helps build capacity for the appropriate use of data by providing resources that educators, parents, policy-makers and others in the education community can use to improve learning and teaching.
EQAO distributes an individual report to each student who writes an assessment, and posts school, school board and provincial results on its Web site.
