The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) has released the results of the Grades 3 and 6 assessments of reading, writing and mathematics as well as the Grade 9 mathematics and Grade 10 Ontario secondary school literacy test (OSSLT).
“We are pleased to see that the gains made in 2022-23 by first-time eligible students on the Ontario secondary school literacy test and the Grade 6 math assessment remained largely intact. Staff continue to support all students in developing foundational literacy and math skills. Newly implemented diagnostic reading assessments will continue to help to ensure that students with reading difficulties are identified early, and the appropriate interventions are put in place,” said Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Melanie Gray.
In the 2023-24 school year, 91 per cent of NNDSB’s kindergarten to Grade 2 students were screened for reading difficulties. “As a system, we continue to deepen our understanding of how to effectively use this student data to inform instruction and programming decisions. We have seen incredible gains in educator capacity to provide targeted reading instruction and interventions,” noted Stephen Krause, principal of student achievement and well-being.
To help more students succeed in reading and writing, the province has modernized the language curriculum with an emphasis on ensuring students at an early age can master basic literacy skills. The new Elementary Language curriculum includes a focus on foundational instruction to support reading and writing, critical thinking and digital media literacy skills.
NNDSB results: reading and writing
Grades 3 and 6: While results vary by school, the overall trends showed stability in Grade 3 reading and writing achievement when compared to 2022-23. Ninety-eight per cent of NNDSB’s Grade 3 students and 97% of Grade 6 students participated in the EQAO assessments.
NNDSB results: mathematics
Key actions implemented across NNDSB have started strengthening students’ mathematics skills and are encouraging positive attitudes toward mathematics in many of our schools. Tailored and innovative professional learning strategies are growing teacher’s math content knowledge and promoting the use of quality, evidence-based instructional and assessment strategies.
“We will continue to use EQAO assessment data, alongside a variety of data to identify student strengths and focus our efforts on areas where additional attention and resources are needed,” said Kim Pauli, NNDSB math lead. “Our continued focus on priority actions of the Ministry’s Math Achievement Action Plan will help us determine next steps for improvement at the system and school levels with the goal of removing barriers to success for all mathematics learners,” she said.
Improving student achievement across all divisions will continue to be a system-wide focus as staff work to implement evidence-based systematic and explicit instructional approaches in language classrooms and high impact instructional practices in math.
EQAO results are just one among many assessment tools that both schools and boards use to measure and improve upon the quality of student programming and student success. The new modernized, digital assessments and reporting tools will continue to inform efforts to close gaps in learning and strengthen literacy and math skills.