Near North test scores improving, but still below Ontario average

The Near North District School Board continues to improve its Grade 3 and Grade 6 test scores over previous years.

But 2003-2004 Ontario results released today by the Education Quality and Accountability Office show the board still performs below the provincial standard—with the exception of certain schools that are exceeding it.

The results show that 43 per cent of Near North Grade 3 students read to the provincial standard, as compared to 54 per cent across Ontario; 45 of the board’s Grade 3 students write to the provincial standard, as opposed to 58 per cent across Ontario; and 52 per cent of the board’s Grade 3 students perform mathematics to the provincial standard, compared to 64 per cent across Ontario.

Near North Grade 6 students did a little better on average in reading than the Grade 3s, with 50 per cent reading to the provincial standard, as opposed to 58 per cent across Ontario.

Click here to see the full EQAO report and results.

Writing results were identical with the Grade 3s, but below the provincial average of 54 per cent.

And half the Near North Grade 6 students tested performed math to the provincial standard, compared to 57 per cent across Ontario.

The Near North Grade 3 test results in reading are eight percentage points higher than in 2001-2002, six percentage points higher in writing, and 14 percentage points higher in mathematics.

Grade 6 students showed the greatest increase in reading proficiency, a 10 percentage point rise between 2001-2002 and 2003-2004.

Near North chairwoman Eunice Saari said the board’s improvements were higher than the provincial average.

“We’re really encouraged by these results, but you have to keep in mind that improvement is not a single event but a very difficult process that requires teamwork from the whole staff,” Saari said.

The board isn’t going to rest on its laurels, though.

“We still have some work to do because we’re still not at the provincial average,” Saari said.

“We want to make ensure that our students are getting the skills they need and we’re trying to provide focus and direction and resources so that we will have the improvement we want.”

On an individual school basis, 91 per cent of WJ Fricker Grade 6 students can write to the provincial standard, much higher than the provincial average of 54 per cent; 95 per cent of Pinewood Public School Grade 6 students perform math to the provincial standard, compared to the 57 per cent provincial average; and 80 per cent of Vincent Massey Public Grade 6 students read to the provincial standard, well above the provincial average.

On the Grade 3 end, 77 per cent of those students at Vincent Massey can read to the provincial standard, while 77 per cent of Grade 3 students at Centennial Public School write to the provincial standard.

As well Grade 3 Vincent Massey students perform math to the provincial standard.

Click here for the full EQAO report and complete test results.