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) increased slightly this year. A total of 1,455 students in the Rainbow District School Board’s nine secondary schools in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin wrote the test for the first time on March 27, 2008. Seventy-nine percent of students achieved the provincial standard, marking a seven-percentage point increase over the past six years.

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 the test 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. Gains continue to be made in all areas."

Since the inception of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in 2002, five per cent more students in Rainbow Schools have achieved the provincial standard in Academic English.  Over the past six years, students in Applied English and those with special needs experienced the greatest growth in success. The number of students who achieved the provincial standard in Applied English increased by 21 per cent while the number of students with special needs who achieved the provincial standard increased by 15 per cent.

"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 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, 705-674-3171, ext. 7215.