FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Results maintained on provincial assessments by secondary students
19 October 2005, Belleville, Ontario—The positive trend continues for secondary mathematics students in the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB). For the fifth straight year, students achieved higher results than the provincial average on the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.

“As a Board we are once again pleased with the Grade 9 math results. Our students continue to perform better than the provincial average,” remarks Judy Edgar, Chair of the Board. “Even so, our goal is continuous improvement for all students, especially those in the Applied stream.”

Students in the Academic Program continue to demonstrate a sound understanding of the mathematics curriculum. Of all students eligible to write the test for the Academic stream, 73 percent achieved the provincial standard. Of all students eligible to write the test for the Applied stream, 36 percent achieved the provincial standard. The provincial standard is defined as achieving Level 3 or 4, which is 70 percent and over.

“We will continue to work with secondary schools to develop strategies to ensure success for all students in mathematics. We are pleased that one of schools, Centennial Secondary, has been selected by EQAO as an example of best practices in the province,” states Kathy Soule, Director of Education.

Students in all publicly-funded secondary schools in Ontario, including eight in HPEDSB, wrote the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) tests at the end of semesters 1 and 2 earlier this year. EQAO assessments indicate student achievement at a point in time and assist schools and boards in identifying areas for attention. Different tests are written for the Academic and Applied programs.

A four-level rating scale is used to evaluate the assessments:
• Level 4 is equivalent to a score of 80 percent or higher.
• Level 3 is considered the provincial standard and is equivalent to a score of 70 to 79 percent.
• Level 2 is equivalent to a score of 60 to 69 percent.
• Level 1 is equivalent to a score of 50 to 59 percent.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 46 elementary and eight secondary schools serving 18,400 students, employing 1,070 teachers and 705 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354