Best results ever in Primary and Junior EQAO assessments

Rainbow District School Board recorded some of its best results ever in both Primary and Junior EQAO assessments, surpassing the impressive gains made in the previous year.

A total of 66 per cent of Grade 3 students achieved at or above the provincial average in reading (up by six percentage points), 76 per cent of students achieved at or above the provincial average in writing (up by eight percentage points) and 61 per cent of students achieved at or above the provincial average in math (up by two percentage points.)

A total of 75 per cent of Grade 6 students achieved at or above the provincial average in reading (up by four percentage points) and 69 per cent of students achieved at or above the provincial average in writing (up by one percentage point). Results in math remained stable at 49 per cent.

“The upward trend continued as more and more students demonstrated that they have achieved levels 3 and 4 in reading, writing and math,” said Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “The growth over time is a clear indication that the strategies being adopted and implemented, from the boardroom to the classroom, are having a positive impact on student achievement. I commend trustees, teachers, consultants, principals and superintendents for their leadership in literacy and numeracy.”

He added: “I would also like to thank parents/guardians for supporting and reinforcing classroom efforts by reading and writing with their children at home and engaging in math activities. And last, but by no means least, I extend congratulations to the Grade 3 and Grade 6 students who wrote the assessment. Well done and keep up the good work.”

Rainbow District School Board uses EQAO data over time to identify areas for continuous improvement. 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.

“Assessment results are used to enhance student learning,” said Director Blaseg. “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.”

Learning Cycles, Co-teaching and Framework Schools are three of a number of strategies that continue to have a positive impact on student success. In Learning Cycles, teachers work in teams to focus on the needs of their students.  Special attention is placed on assessment for learning and differentiated instruction strategies. Teachers monitor student learning over time and adjust strategies to support growth. 

Co-teaching is a professional learning strategy that involves a group of teachers working together to plan a lesson based on curriculum expectations and student needs, co-teaching the lesson and co-reflecting on the lesson and planning the next instructional steps.

Framework Schools, meanwhile, receive additional support for professional learning in the area of literacy and numeracy. During the 2013-2014 school year, teachers at three elementary schools received release time to work with a consultant. A team of principals, superintendents and federation representatives visited these schools in the fall and spring to provide ongoing feedback and support.

Primary and Junior reading, writing and mathematics tests were written in late May and early June 2014.  A total of 816 students participated in the Primary assessment and 830 students participated in the Junior assessment. Very few students were exempt from the assessments. 

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%). 

Copies of EQAO results are available at www.eqao.com. 

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All students RDSB

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All students RDSB

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor, 

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning, 

Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171, ext. 7217.