84% of Grade 10 Students Pass Provincial Literacy Test on First Attempt
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 15, 2011
GUELPH, Ontario — Eighty-four percent of the grade 10 students who were eligible to write the EQAO’s Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) for the first time were successful this year, maintaining a high rate of success. Results for the Upper Grand District School Board were slightly above the provincial average for the fifth consecutive year, and followed provincial trends.
The provincial pass rate this year for those eligible to write the test for the first time is 83%.
“We’re very pleased that our achievement levels are remaining high,” said Bob Borden, Chair of the Board. “The results are a reflection of the hard work and efforts of students, and of their teachers.”
“Of course there is always more that can be done. We especially need to support students who did not pass the test the first time, or who have special needs, so that they too can achieve this important milestone.”
The OSSLT is a provincial standards-based test of the reading and writing skills students are expected to have acquired across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the test, or the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course, is one of the 32 requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
This year’s OSSLT results corroborate what has been seen in the recent (2009) Programme for International Assessment (PISA) results, which ranked Ontario students among the world’s best in reading.
Using the data collected over time, the board and individual schools establish ways in which they can help students improve their learning. In March of this year Erin District High School was one of only 21 secondary schools in Ontario to receive the 2010 Dr. Bette Stephenson Recognition of Achievement, which celebrates dedication to using provincial assessment results to improve student learning.
In the UGDSB, the range of supports at schools includes:
- Student achievement goals in literacy are featured in school improvement plans
- Student-centered assessments to engage students in setting learning goals
- Offering the Ontario Secondary School Literacy course for unsuccessful students
- Locally developed courses with an emphasis on developing the skills needed to reach grade level in reading, writing, mathematics and science
- PD for teachers that provides training and support for meeting student needs though differentiated instruction and assessment practices
- Using new software and other technologies to engage and assist students, specifically those with special needs.
Results for the individual schools are included in the accompanying charts, and are based on the students who actually wrote the test.
Girls traditionally outperform boys with 87% of Upper Grand girls successful the first time they took the test compared with 80% of the boys.
English Language Learners (ELL) achieved an 81% pass rate. Students with special needs had a 48% success rate in this year’s testing.
Upper Grand students enrolled in the academic program had a 97% pass rate, compared to 95% province-wide.
Students in the applied level achieved a 65% success rate, well above the provincial average of 55%.
There will be an effort to assist those in the locally developed courses where there is only an 11% rate of success. Students with special needs will also be a focus for the coming year in an effort to help them improve their pass rate.
First time eligible students:
Province 2010-11 83%
Upper Grand 2010-11 84%
Websites:
www.ugdsb.ca/eqao
www.eqao.com
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext.544
[email protected]
Categories: Media Releases