Local reading, writing and arithmetic near provincial standards says Near North School Board

The latest report from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) show Near North District School Board results are following provincial trends.

The Office is an independent agency that creates and administers large-scale assessments to measure Ontario students’ achievement in reading, writing, and math at key stages of their education.

It has released the results of the grades 3, 6 and 9 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics as well as the grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test that was written by Ontario secondary students during the 2017-2018 school year. 

“As a board, we understand the value of the information and insight provided by the EQAO results," says. Jackie Young, Director of Education.  "EQAO continues to provide us with useful data which we will explore in its entirety to help inform our planning and practices."

Reading and Writing

Grades 3 and 6:  While results vary by school, the overall trends showed grades 3 and 6 Reading and Writing achievement in many of our schools are at or approaching the provincial outcomes.  In comparison to the previous year’s results, reading scores demonstrated a slight increase in the number of students meeting or exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 or 4).

• 67% of grade 3 students and 78% of grade 6 students continued to meet the provincial reading standard, representing a slight increase over last year.
• 56% of grade 3 students and 72% of grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing.  This represents a decrease of 3% for grade 3 students while grade 6 students achieved a consistent result with 2016-17.

Grade 10:  The grade 10 Literacy Test is a compulsory standardized test for all secondary school students in Ontario wishing to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.  The test is based on all of the reading and writing expectations in all subjects up to the end of grade 9.

• Of first-time eligible writers of the grade 10 Literacy Test, the Board’s test results decreased by 7% from the previous year (74% to 67%).  Similarly, the province’s results slipped 2% from the previous year (81% to 79%).

In response to the decrease, Superintendent of Education, Craig Myles said, “We have developed and implemented a Literacy Strategic Plan in all of our secondary schools.  Further, we will examine and triangulate our data in order to determine where we can implement best practices to improve.”’

Mathematics

Grades 3 and 6: 

Mathematics scores decreased during the 2017-2018 year for grade 3 and 6 students within the Near North District School Board and across Ontario.

• 41% of grade 3 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 47% in 2016-17, indicating a 6% decrease.
• 30% of grade 6 students met the standard in 2017-18 compared to 34% in 2016-17, representing a 4% decrease.

Grade 9: 

• 38% of students who wrote the grade 9 applied test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 48% in 2016-17 and 39% in 2015-16.
• 75% of students who wrote the grade 9 academic test met the provincial standard in 2017-18 compared to 75% in 2016-17 and 70% in 2015-16.

“We will continue with our efforts on math improvement, which includes the implementation of the province’s mathematics initiative, “Focusing on the Fundamentals of Math”, said Superintendent of Education Craig Myles.