The latest provincial student assessment report shows Lakehead Public School students have shown the best scores in reading, writing and mathematics in five years.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office report showed improvements in reading, writing and math during the 2010-2011 school year. The report took data from students at the end of their Grade 3 and Grade 6 year as well as high school students who completed the applied and academic mathematics courses in Grade 9.
Grade 3 students improved by seven per cent in reading from 56 per cent last year, went up five per cent in writing from 63 per cent and up six per cent from 61 per cent. Grade 6 students also showed improvements in reading and writing but went down by four per cent in mathematics from 53 per cent.
Although, Grade 9 students surpassed the provincial average of 83 per cent with 88 per cent of the board’s student being at or above level three in mathematics. Literacy test results also showed a high percentage of success with 83 per cent, which is equal to the provincial average.
Secondary Program Co-ordinator Paul Tsekouras said it is the best results they have ever had.
“It’s continuing a trend of having three years of unbelievable performances,” Tsekouras said. “For our academic students, they have achieved an unprecedented level as well. In five years we have improved by 22 points to 88 per cent of our kids demonstrating standard. That’s pretty impressive.”
Tsekouras, along with Elementary Program Co-ordinator Robin Tabor-John, Program Co-ordinator Nicole Walter-Rowan and Special Education Office Andrea Pugliese, presented the report to the Lakehead Public School Board at the first regular meeting on Tuesday.
Tsekouras said there has been a lot of work involved to get to where they are today. Support from administrations, trustees, teachers and members of the mathematics committee has helped to take student achievement to the next level, he said.
Tabor-John said they are the best results in they have had in five years and despite the decline in mathematics in Grade 6, the students were still close to the provincial average by nine per cent.
“We are still closely aligned with the province in mathematics,” Tabor-John said. “There was a provincial decline in mathematics and because of that there is now an increase focus on mathematics and support for mathematic initiatives that our board has put in place right now.”
Tabor-John added students’ report cards showed similar results of those found in the report.
Cathi Siemieniuk, director of education for the Lakehead Public School Board, said she was happy to hear the news and hoped to continue to make sure students always have high level of success.
“The student success report is certainly a celebration of the work that our staff does to enhance student learning opportunities,” she said. “It is certainly a cause for celebration.”
Board members also paid tribute to Sue Peever with the Trustee Character Award. Peever has volunteered with the public school for over 20 years and she said she was thankful for the recognition.
“Thank you so much, this is very much appreciated,” Peever said. “It’s this board that’s allowed me to do what I’ve done and grow and learn.”
Board members also welcomed back Student Trustee Stephanie Philp.
The Grade 12 student from Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute said since it’s her final year with the board she wanted to create a handbook for future student trustees in order to better prepare them for being on the board.
“I’m really happy to be elected again,” Philp said. “It’s a really cool position to be in as a student. I feel more comfortable now and I feel more comfortable raising issues at the board and expressing my opinion.”
She said she will be visiting all of the public secondary schools in order to promote the student trustee position.
