For immediate release
January 11, 2001

E.Q.A.O. assesses Grade 9 Math

        Between January 12 and 23, Grade 9 students across Ontario will be participating in their first ever provincial assessment in Mathematics. The assessment by the Education Quality Assessment Office is a snapshot of student learning and the Hastings and District School Board will use the results as one of its tools to monitor student achievement and develop classroom programs to improve student learning.
        The Grade 9 assessment of Mathematics involves multiple choice questions, short answer items, and extended response tasks. It is being administered in January 2001 for first-semester students and June 2001 for full-year and second semester students. The 170 minute  assessment is administered over a three or five day schedule during regular class time.
As with the Grades 3 and 6 assessments, the purpose of the Grade 9 assessment of Mathematics is to identify strengths and areas for improvement in student learning. Success on the assessment is not a diploma requirement. Individual, school, board, and provincial reports will be generated after marking in is completed July 2001 and are expected to be made public in October 2001.
        "Teachers may also use the opportunity that this assessment provides to mark some components of the assessment and include the results as an additional piece of information in students' final Grade 9 Mathematics marks," says Curriculum Co-ordinator,  Linda Wilson. "However, the assessment is a snapshot of student learning in the Grade 9 academic or applied Mathematics programs and should not be seen as the single source of information on achievement in that program."

For information contact:
Linda Wilson, Curriculum Co-ordinator, 966-1170  ext. 2134