Province releases local Reading, Writing, and Mathematics scores

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) 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 (OSSLT) that were written by all Ontario students during the 2015-2016 school year. 

Elementary schools did not participate in EQAO testing in the 2014-2015 school year.  Therefore, the most recent results prior to 2015-2016 are from 2013-2014.

“EQAO remains an important piece of data that we, as a board, continue to explore.   There is much information here that requires a fulsome look and a team approach to understand completely,” said Near North  Director of Education Jackie Young.  “Student achievement and well-being are our core business.  We encourage our parents to work as partners in this endeavor.”

Reading and Writing

Grade 3 and 6:  Results across the Board varied by school but the trends showed results in Grade 3 and Grade 6 Reading and Writing are at or approaching provincial standard when compared to the provincial results.  In comparison to the previous year’s results, Reading and Writing results demonstrated a slight decrease of students meeting or exceeding the Provincial Standard (Levels 3 or 4).

• 67% of Grade 3 students and 77% of Grade 6 students are now meeting the provincial reading standard, both a 1% decrease from the 2014 results.
• 65% of Grade 3 students and 73% of Grade 6 students have met the expected level in writing.  This represents a decrease of 4% for Grade 3 students and a 1% increase for Grade 6 students from the 2014 results.

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 increased by 5% from the previous year (70% to 75%) to while the province’s results decreased by 1% (82% to 81%).

“We will examine our Literacy Test results for best practices to try to maintain the momentum gained by the increase,” said Superintendent of Student Success Craig Myles. 

Mathematics 

Grade 3 and 6:   The percentage of students in Grades 3 and 6 who met the provincial math standard has steadily decreased for both the Board and across Ontario.  Grade 6 Mathematics results are of significant concern for both.  The Ministry of Education is taking action to help students across the province gain the mathematical knowledge they need to achieve success.  A newly identified expectation is that school boards will provide daily focused mathematics instructions for students in grades 1-8 during protected blocks of time.   Protected time for mathematics will allow for a more sustained period of effective instruction and assessment every day. The Board is committed to implementing the strategies outlined in the Renewed Math Strategy to improve Mathematics learning for all students. 

• 49% of Grade 3 students met the standard in 2016 compared to 53% in 2013 and 52% in 2014 indicating a 3% decrease.
• 31% of Grade 6 students met the standard in 2016 compared to 50% in 2013 and 38% in 2014, representing a 7% decrease.
• Reported through the EQAO Student Questionnaire the following items are of interest: while 42% of Grade 6 students report liking math most of the time, 84% of students find it challenging to answer difficult mathematics questions either some or all of the time. 

Grade 9:      The Board is very pleased to see that the Grade 9 Applied Math results have increased by 9% when compared to the results from last year and will continue to build on this success. 

* EC—Exceptional circumstances.  Provincial-level results are not available for the 2014-2015 school year.

“Principals are reviewing their current school results to identify and inform next steps.  At the upcoming Professional Development Day on October 3, educator teams will spend the day focusing on the Renewed Math Strategy,” said Superintendent of Schools and Program Timothy Graves.

EQAO results are important, but they are just one among many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve the quality of student programming and student success.