News Release
September 17, 2009
„ EQAO Results
Growth in mathematics an achievement for Dufferin-Peel students
Results from the spring 2009 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 maintained or improved their achievement on most of the assessments, compared to last year.
This year’s growth has increased the already significant achievement of Dufferin-Peel students over the several years of EQAO testing. More specifically, assessment results in primary (Grade 3) and junior (Grade 6) writing were relatively consistent with last year, while primary and junior mathematics and junior reading results demonstrated increases of 2%, 3% and 2%, respectively. Over the last ten years of primary EQAO assessments, Dufferin-Peel has enjoyed achievement increases of between 13% and 17%. Growth in the junior EQAO assessments over the last ten years has ranged from 16% to 23%. As with the previous year, the 2008-09 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: 76% of all Dufferin-Peel students achieved the provincial standard in Grade 9 academic mathematics in 2008-2009, a gain of 2%. Achievement among Grade 9 students taking applied mathematics was also higher in 2008-09, with a 3% gain. Historically, Dufferin-Peel has experienced 26% and 25% growth in Grade 9 academic and applied mathematics achievement, respectively, since the first such assessments in 2000-2001.
“The 2008-09 EQAO findings are the results of the shared efforts of schools, students, their families, and the local parishes to support each child’s achievement. The integration of school, family and faith continue to be at the heart of learning in Dufferin-Peel” said Ralph Borrelli, Dufferin-Peel’s Associate Director, Instructional Services. “The whole school community is to be congratulated for the recent growth in mathematics and continued high levels of achievement in all subject areas.”
The assessments conducted by 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 2009 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.
The results for students in all assessments for the last three administrations are presented below:
|
Assessment |
2006-2007 |
2007-2008 |
2008-2009 |
1-Year Comparison |
|
Primary Division (Grades 1-3) Reading |
64% |
65% |
62% |
-3% |
|
Primary Division (Grades 1-3) Writing |
70% |
71% |
70% |
-1% |
|
Primary Division (Grades 1-3) Mathematics |
70% |
68% |
70% |
+2% |
|
Junior Division (Grades 4-6) Reading |
67% |
70% |
72% |
+2% |
|
Junior Division (Grades 4-6) Writing |
68% |
72% |
72% |
+0% |
|
Junior Division (Grades 4-6) Mathematics |
58% |
62% |
65% |
+3% |
|
Grade 9 Academic Mathematics |
69% |
74% |
76% |
+2% |
|
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics |
31% |
32% |
35% |
+3% |
“Dufferin-Peel’s most recent results are to be celebrated, particularly gains in mathematics. They are the result of the hard work of our students, the dedicated staff at all of our schools, and the leadership demonstrated by senior administration and the board of trustees,” commented Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program for Dufferin-Peel, “However, despite our most recent success in mathematics, we acknowledge that more work is necessary to realise additional gains in reading and writing. Our faculty and staff continually strive for higher levels of excellence so that they may help all students demonstrate their God-given gifts and talents.”
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 later in the fall of 2009. 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 and most diverse school districts in Ontario. It serves approximately 87,000 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. This year, Dufferin-Peel is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
- 30 -
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