Catholic school board officials learned Wednesday that its test results from the 2009-10 Education Quality Accountability Office standardized tests scored above the Ontario averages, which are similar results to last year. Meanwhile, the public board also had similar test results this year when compared to last with some improvements in certain areas.
"We’re very happy with the trend we do see over time," said TBCDSB director of education John De Faveri. "We’re really delighted with those results."
The Catholic board scored 64 per cent in Grade 3 reading and 75 per cent in Grade 3 writing; while the public board scored 56 per cent in reading and 63 per cent in writing. The provincial averages are 62 per cent and 70 per cent in reading and writing.
The Grade 6 literacy results were similar – the province’s average was 72 per cent in reading and 70 per cent in writing. Lakehead fell below in both categories and the Catholic board scored well above.
Lakehead Public Schools’ superintendent of education Sherri-Lynne Pharand said they’ll continue to work on all areas, but Grade 3 reading will be a focal point in the future. She said the province is looking to improve its own standard and Lakehead will be looking to do the same.
"Our results are very similar to the trends and in the province so certainly Grade 3 reading is something we’ll focus on," she said. "Both subject areas, literacy and numeracy, are certainly key and foundational pieces to any student’s success in school."
More than 85 per cent of the public board’s Grade 3 students are reading at least a C level and more than 98 per cent are writing at a C, B or A level. Pharand said the work will be on helping their high C students become B students.
"That will really make all the difference in the world," she said. "Our plan is to be able to help those students understand the difference between a C plus piece of work and a B piece of work."
Although their Grade 3 results are below the provincial average, they are an improvement from last year. Pharand said they’re also thrilled with their Grade 9 math results, which saw both the academic and applied students surpass the average.
The Catholic board also saw their Grade 9 math scores go beyond the provincial average; the applied stream saw 90 per cent of its students pass the test. While De Faveri is pleased, he said it also presents a challenge.
"The closer you get to the top, the harder it is to maintain that," he said. "Last thing we want to do is see any sliding back. We have a couple of ideas we’re going to be rolling out this coming year and I’m optimistic that we will continue to see that upward trend."
Pharand said Lakehead Public Schools will present a report on the results of the EQAO tests to the trustees on Sept. 28.
Results of the Education Quality Accountability Office standardized tests are listed below.
Grade 3 Results
- Lakehead Public Schools
- Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
- Reading: 64 per cent
- Writing: 75 per cent
- Math: 74 per cent
- Provincial Average
- Reading: 62 per cent
- Writing 70 per cent
- Math: 71 per cent
Grade 6 Results
- Lakehead Public Schools
- Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
- Provincial Average
- Reading: 72 per cent
- Writing: 70 per cent
- Math: 61 per cent
Grade 9 Math Results
- Lakehead Public Schools
- Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board
- Academic: 90 per cent
- Applied: 45 per cent
- Provincial Average
- Academic: 82 per cent
- Applied: 40 per cent
