11 June 2008, Belleville, ON—Today the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board released the results of the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). 

81 percent of first-time participating HPEDSB students were successful on the provincial literacy test, as compared to the provincial average of 84 percent. This maintains the district results from the previous year.

"We are pleased that, once again, over 80 percent of first-time eligible students were successful on the literacy test," remarks Carl Pitman, Chair of the Board. “Student success continues to be the focus across the district. We remain confident that all classroom efforts are having a positive influence on student achievement.”

Throughout the 2007-2008 school year, HPEDSB continued to support students through a variety of initiatives, including literacy camps, after school literacy programs, and focused support at the school level. Staff also received support through a wide variety of professional development activities linked to Ministry of Education literacy initiatives.

“I am very pleased to see the steady results,” observes Kathy Soule, Director of Education. “It is through the combined efforts of everyone involved—students, teachers, educational assistants, principals and vice-principals, support staff, and parents and guardians—that HPEDSB students continue to experience success at school.”

The purpose of the OSSLT is to determine whether students have achieved the minimum acceptable level of reading and writing skills described in The Ontario Curriculum, across all subjects, to the end of Grade 9.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:

• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, HPEDSB at 1-800-267-4350, ext. 2354 or at kdonnell@hpedsb.on.ca