FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2004

Board takes opportunity to renew programs and services for students
Today, the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) released the annual test results for its Grade 3 and 6 students. While gains had been made over the past two years to close the gap on the provincial average, it is not the case this year. The Board will take the opportunity to work with its dedicated and professional employees to renew programs and services that will assist students in meeting and exceeding the provincial standard.

Students in all publicly-funded elementary schools in Ontario, including 38 schools with Grade 3 and 6 classes in HPEDSB, wrote the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) tests in the spring of 2004. Students of HPEDSB maintained their level of achievement in reading, writing and math which are the three subject areas tested.

EQAO assessments indicate student achievement at a point in time and assist schools and boards in identifying areas for attention. They provide an objective measure of how well students understand the expectations outlined in the Ontario Curriculum, and serve as a basis for the board, schools, teachers and parents to have discussions on improving strategies for the future.

HPEDSB Grade 3 results
In reading, writing and math, students’ Grade 3 EQAO scores were consistent with results from the spring of 2003. These latest results from the May 2004 series of tests indicate:

• Performance in Grade 3 reading is similar to last year, with 50 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.
• Performance in Grade 3 writing is similar to last year, with 49 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.
• Performance in Grade 3 math is similar to last year, with 54 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.

HPEDSB Grade 6 results
In reading, writing and math, students’ Grade 6 EQAO scores were consistent with results from the spring of 2003. These latest results from the May 2004 series of tests indicate:

• Performance in Grade 6 reading is similar to last year, with 51 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.
• Performance in Grade 6 writing is similar to last year, with 44 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.
• Performance in Grade 6 math is similar to last year, with 50 percent of our students achieving at or above the provincial standard.

“I am confident that the Board, in concert with our professional employees, will continue to develop appropriate programs and services for students,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “We recognize the provincial target is for 75 percent of students to be at the standard by 2008 and we are reviewing all programs and services to ensure they are effective in assisting our students to achieve that goal.”

Plans are currently underway to conduct a thorough review of programs and services to ensure they are truly valuable for students. From there, further strategies will be developed on how best to meet student needs, and what additional supports are needed for students to meet literacy and numeracy targets. Detailed reports will be prepared and presented to the Board in early 2005.

Recently HPEDSB has implemented the following targeted programs to support and improve student achievement:

• Early Reading Intervention – through increased staffing, provides specific instruction and support for many students in the early primary grades.
• Early Reading Strategy and Early Math Strategy – are intended to help children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 improve their reading, writing and math skills.
• Developmental Reading Assessment – is a diagnostic tool which enables teachers to identify students’ reading and comprehension levels, and assists teachers in developing teaching strategies.
• New math textbooks and teaching guides – this year, all elementary and secondary students received new math textbooks that teach contemporary mathematics theory, and teachers received corresponding teaching guides.
• Special Education identification and support – provides individualized programs for students with special needs.
• Board-wide literacy and numeracy initiative – focuses on developing reading, writing and math skills in all subjects for all students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

In addition, the following new initiatives are being developed:

• Junior Literacy and Numeracy Strategy – is intended to help children in Grade 4 to 6 with their reading, writing and math skills.
• Staff training models – are aimed at improving student performance in literacy and numeracy through focused instruction.
• Differentiated support – tailors support programs based on student and school needs.
• School improvement planning - involves reviewing student-based data from classrooms, schools, the board and the province in order to identify areas for improvement in teaching strategies and student performance.
• System improvement planning – focuses on co-ordination of Board and Ministry of Education resources to support student achievement and school improvement.

Parents will receive their child’s individual report between November 10 and 16. This report provides parents with details regarding their child’s results, and for the first time, includes a summary of the school, board and provincial results.

For information contact:
• Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board, (613) 921-3203
• Rob McGall, Superintendent of Educational Services, 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2203