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News Release

September 17, 2008

For Immediate Release

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board students continue high levels of achievement - EQAO experience one of continuous improvement

MISSISSAUGA – Results from the spring 2008 administration of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) Primary Division (Grades 1 – 3) and Junior Division (Grades 4 – 6) assessments of reading, writing and mathematics, and the Grade 9 assessment of mathematics indicate that Dufferin-Peel students have equalled or improved their achievement compared to last year.

This year’s growth has increased the already significant achievement of our students over the several years of EQAO testing. More specifically, assessment results in the areas of primary (Grade 3) reading, writing and mathematics were relatively consistent with last year, while junior (Grade 6) reading, writing and mathematics results demonstrated increases of 3%, 4% and 4%, respectively. Over the last eleven years of primary EQAO assessments, Dufferin-Peel has enjoyed achievement increases of between 21% and 30%. Growth in the junior EQAO assessments over the last ten years has ranged from 16% to 23%. This year’s results indicate that over 62% of Dufferin-Peel students are at the provincial standard in Grades 3 and 6 reading, writing and mathematics.

Dufferin-Peel also experienced achievement gains on the Grade 9 results: 74% of all Dufferin-Peel students are achieving the provincial standard in Grade 9 academic mathematics, a gain of 5%. Achievement among Grade 9 students taking applied mathematics was consistent with last year. Historically, Dufferin-Peel has experienced 24% and 22% growth in Grade 9 academic and applied mathematics achievement, respectively, since the first such assessments in 2000-2001.

“Dufferin-Peel’s EQAO experience over the past 11 years has been one of continuous improvement,” said Ralph Borrelli, Associate Director of Instructional Services. Added Borrelli, “A tradition of excellence in Catholic education has been our promise to students, parents and guardians. One of the measuring tools we use to monitor our progress in this regard is the EQAO assessments. Our assessment results over the past 11 years are indicative, not only of the hard work of students, but of the tremendous supports inherent within the Catholic learning environment. Congratulations to the students, parents and guardians, teachers, support staff, administration, trustees and pastors who, together, ensure that our kids maximize their opportunity for success.”

The assessments conducted by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) — an independent agency whose mandate is to ensure greater accountability and help improve the quality of education — provide an indication of each student’s achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.

The spring 2008 assessment results report on three groups of students: Grade 3 students in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics; Grade 6 students in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics and Grade 9 students in academic and applied mathematics. 

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The results for students in all assessments for the last three administrations are presented below:

“Dufferin-Peel’s most recent results are to be celebrated. They are the result of the hard work of our staff and students, and supported by leadership at all levels including senior administration and the board of trustees” commented Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program. “However, despite our considerable successes, we will never become complacent. Just as our students are called to uncover their God-given gifts and talents, our faculty and staff continue to learn and to strive for higher levels of excellence in all they do.”

Practices in place in Dufferin-Peel schools that continue to prove successful include: targeted supports and spending on resources to meet more closely the varying challenges faced by our schools; ongoing professional learning focused on student needs; and differentiated classroom instruction to foster the growth and potential of individual students. The board will further analyze the EQAO results to provide support to schools, parents and students to ensure that more students continue to improve in all assessment areas. Each school has its own plan, which will be reviewed in the context of the test results, to improve students’ skills in all subject areas. School plans include strategies to assist all students, including intervention and reinforcement for students who did not achieve the provincial standard. 

Board and individual school results will be available on the board website at www.dpcdsb.org in October 2008. Additional information on the various assessments can be obtained through the EQAO web site at www.eqao.com.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest school boards in Ontario, with approximately 88,000 students in 145 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Bolton, Caledon and Orangeville.  It is the goal of the board to provide quality education to students in a setting which fosters Catholic values and beliefs.

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For information contact:       

Bruce Campbell, General Manager, Communications & Community Relations

(905) 890-0708, ext.24466 or (905) 609-1480

Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program

(905) 890-0708, ext. 24261