In late October, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released the results from the 2021-2022 testing for both the province and school boards. For the past two school years (2019-2020 and 2020-2021), EQAO testing was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB), the 2021-2022 results showed areas of improvement and areas for further growth.
The results in Grade 3 and 6 students highlighted an increase in four of the six areas from previous test years. Specifically, a three per cent increase in Grade 3 reading and mathematics, a two per cent increase in Grade 6 writing, and a two per cent increase in Grade 6 reading. The Board continues to place emphasis in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics with a strong focus on early interventions in literacy at the elementary level. “Resources, professional development, and explicit instruction is a Board-wide focus as we better our understanding of student needs and close performance gaps in reading,” says superintendent of learning, Jay MacJanet.
In the 2021-2022 school year, TLDSB introduced a new, de-streamed mathematics curriculum for Grades 6 and 9, and so it was the first EQAO test since this introduction. As such, TLDSB will start to see trends in student achievement from this new curriculum in the years to come.
“In the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) category, TLDSB results improved seven per cent since the last testing period,” explained superintendent of learning, Kim Williams. “Mathematics continues to be an area that we will focus on. Math teachers participated in professional learning last year and continue to be engaged in learning about how to support students with significant gaps in their foundational knowledge.”
“I am so proud of the work that TLDSB teachers, designated early childhood educators, and support staff have been doing to support student learning after nearly three school years in a pandemic,” adds director of education, Wes Hahn. “The data TLDSB received from the EQAO assessments adds yet another key piece to help us make informed decisions at both the board and school levels, and to set new targets. TLDSB is committed to furthering student development by understanding and meeting the learning needs of all students as outlined in the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.”
More information on EQAO results can be found on the EQAO website.