YRDSB students surpass provincial averages
York Region District School Board (YRDSB) students surpassed provincial averages in the most recent Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments, but the board isn’t resting on its laurels.
According to recently-released EQAO results, 75 per cent of YRDSB Grade 3 students achieved the provincial standard (Levels 3 and 4) in reading, 70 per cent in writing and 71 per cent in mathematics. That compares with provincial averages of 71 per cent, 64 per cent and 61 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, 87 per cent of YRDSB Grade 6 students attained the provincial standard in reading, while 88 per cent achieved the standard in writing and 64 per cent in mathematics. That compares with provincial averages of 82 per cent, 80 per cent and 50 per cent respectively.
Grades 3 and 6 students took part in the EQAO assessments in May and June. The assessments serve as a snapshot to indicate if students met curriculum expectations in reading, writing and mathematics. This was the second year of the computer-based adaptive assessment, which contain both multiple-choice questions and written components.
“As a Board of Trustees, we continue to support students and staff through the development of the Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan that puts students at the centre and focuses on their achievement and well-being,” says YRDSB Chair Ron Lynn. “EQAO data is one method of assessment that YRDSB uses to monitor progress and to assist in the development and implementation of plans for continuous improvement in our schools.”
Of the 9,514 Fully Participating YRDSB students who wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for the first time, 91 per cent were successful, compared with an average success rate of 85 per cent among all school districts across the province. The OSSLT measures whether students met the provincial standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the literacy test is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario high school diploma.
For the Grade 9 mathematics assessment, 69 per cent of YRDSB secondary students achieved the provincial standard. That compares with a provincial average of 54 per cent of all students in the province who achieved the standard.
“We deeply appreciate the commitment and efforts of our students, staff, families and community partners and their contributions to student achievement and well-being,” Director of Education Bill Cober says. “The data from the EQAO report will be used, along with other assessment data, to guide our District Action Plan for Student Achievement, Well-being and Inclusion with the goal to improve learning outcomes for all. Administrators and teachers review their school’s results to inform their School Improvement Plan.”
To support learners, YRDSB is implementing a Right to Read program focused on literacy skills through a junior reading program. In addition, the Board Math Action Team will focus on developing a math strategy to support student achievement.