Success rate on literacy test increases in Rainbow Secondary Schools

Rainbow District School Board’s success rate on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) continued to increase this year. A total of 1,187 students in the Rainbow District School Board’s nine secondary schools in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin wrote the test for the first time on April 2, 2009. Eighty-two percent of students achieved the provincial standard, marking a three-percentage point increase over the past year.

Administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test assesses the reading and writing skills that students are expected to have learned in all subjects by the end of Grade 9, as outlined in The Ontario Curriculum. Students must successfully complete literacy requirements to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

“EQAO results are used by educators to improve learning, teaching, and student achievement,” said Director of Education Jean Hanson. “Results over time confirm that strategies being implemented in our schools to enhance reading and writing are having a positive impact on student achievement. We are pleased with the gains that have been made.”

“In Rainbow Schools, reading and writing is taught in all subject areas and this continues to be an effective approach,” said Hanson. “Embedding literacy across the curriculum demonstrates that good reading and writing skills are essential to all learning. It also supplements the explicit instruction that students receive in English.” Literacy strategies targeted to specific learners, such as boys and students who benefit from assistive technology, have also proven to be beneficial.

“We are encouraged by this year’s results and the trend over time and applaud our teachers for nurturing strong literacy skills in all learners,” said Hanson. “We will continue to use OSSLT results and other data to inform instruction in our schools and build on our efforts.”

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Media Contact:

Jean Hanson, Director of Education,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7215.