TranslateWhat’s happening in Rainbow Schools?
2017-2018 EQAO results show significant gains in secondary math
The most impressive gains in the Rainbow District School Board’s EQAO results were in the secondary panel, where the board recorded its best results ever in Grade 9 academic math and its greatest gains in Grade 9 applied math.
A total of 81 per cent of students achieved at or above the provincial standard in Grade 9 academic math, an increase of four percentage points. Grade 9 applied math increased by six percentage points, the highest result in the past five years.
“Reviewing concepts over time and building on prior knowledge, what we call spiralling, has proven to be an effective strategy in math,” says Director of Education Norm Blaseg.
“Sudbury Secondary School, for example, used the spiralling approach in math with tremendous success. The school’s Grade 9 applied math scores increased by 25 percentage points while Grade 9 academic math results increased by 20 percentage points.”
In the elementary panel, the highest gain was in Grade 3 reading, where 70 per cent of students achieved at or above the provincial standard – the board’s best result ever. Results in other areas, including Grade 3 math, and Grade 6 reading and math, dipped by one percentage point. Grade 3 and 6 writing were down by three percentage points.
In 2017-2018, a total of 70 per cent of students passed the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which is a requirement for graduation. This was a decline from the previous year where the largest number of students ever passed the OSSLT.
EQAO results provide a measure of how well students understand the expectations outlined in The Ontario Curriculum. Student assessment is most effective when data is interpreted in context, examined over time to determine trends in performance, and used to inform professional dialogue and school improvement planning.
“We have been very intentional in our professional learning,” says Director Blaseg. “We have focused on spaced practice, automaticity and vocabulary. This year, we are also focusing on comprehension. These are foundational skills for learning in all subject areas.”
Director Blaseg thanked educators for their ongoing efforts and congratulated students on their achievement. He added: “Assessment results are used to enhance student learning and we recognize that we have work to do. The data helps us determine areas of focus in literacy and numeracy for school and board improvement planning by answering two important questions: How are we doing? and What can we do next to improve student learning? As always, we will build on our efforts.”
Primary and Junior reading, writing and mathematics tests were written in late May and early June 2018. A total of 863 students participated in the Primary assessment and 823 students participated in the Junior assessment. Very few students were exempt from the assessments.
The Grade 9 math assessments were completed in January 2018 (Semester 1) and June 2018 (Semester 2). A total of 861 students participated in the Grade 9 math assessments.
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) was written on April 10, 2018. A total of 838 students wrote the OSSLT.
The Ministry of Education has set Level 3 as the provincial standard. Students in Level 4 have demonstrated a very high to outstanding level of achievement (80% to 100%). Achievement is above the provincial standard. Students in Level 3 have demonstrated a high level of achievement (70% to 79%).
EQAO results are available at www.eqao.com.
PRIMARY DIVISION (GRADES 1 TO 3) READING, WRITING AND MATHEMATICS
2017-2018 Assessment Results
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4
| All students RDSB | Reading | Writing | Math |
| 70% | 65% | 53% |
RDSB Results from 2013-2018
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |
| Reading | 60% | 66% | n/a | 60% | 66% | 70% |
| Writing | 68% | 76% | n/a | 62% | 68% | 65% |
| Math | 59% | 61% | n/a | 54% | 54% | 53% |
JUNIOR DIVISION (GRADES 4 TO 6) READING, WRITING AND MATHEMATICS
2017-2018 Assessment Results
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4
| All students RDSB | Reading | Writing | Math |
| 76% | 71% | 41% |
RDSB Results from 2013-2018
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |
| Reading | 71% | 75% | n/a | 77% | 77% | 76% |
| Writing | 68% | 69% | n/a | 74% | 74% | 71% |
| Math | 49% | 49% | n/a | 42% | 42% | 41% |
GRADE 9 MATHEMATICS
2013-2018 Assessment Results
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4 – Academic
All students RDSB
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
| 75% | 78% | n/a | 80% | 77% | 81% |
2013-2018 Assessment Results
Percentage at Levels 3 or 4 – Applied
All students RDSB
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
| 43% | 37% | n/a | 33% | 33% | 39% |
2013-2018 Assessment Results
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
All students RDSB
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
| 74% | 75% | 76% | 72% | 77% | 70% |
EQAO assessment results are reported in two ways – “All Students” and “Participating Students”. The “All Students” method reports results that are based on all students registered in the program. The “Participating Students” method excludes students in the “exempt” and “no data” categories of the assessment.
-30-
Media Contact:
Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171, ext. 7217.