September 20th, 2017

Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) results in standardized tests for reading, writing and mathematics moved closer to the provincial average in results released by the Education, Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) today.

WRDSB now exceeds the provincial average in Grade 9 (Applied) Mathematics and for first-time eligible students for the OSSLT. WRDSB improved results in seven measures and closed the gap to the province in five of those seven tests including Grade 3 and 6 Mathematics.

“I am pleased that we have been able to close the gap to the province, but we still have work to do to,” said John Bryant, director of education. “We set ambitious targets to improve student outcomes and experiences last year, and we have placed a significant emphasis on implementing strategies to help us achieve those goals. These results illustrate our commitment to improving the outcomes and experience for WRDSB students is beginning to take root.”

The school district is completing the first full year of implementation of three operational goals that aim to improve results in EQAO Mathematics as well as increase graduation rates and improve student well-being.

“Making significant changes to any organization takes enthusiasm, commitment and focus; these results reflect the hard work of our senior team, principals and teachers. I am encouraged that we have seen our results move in a positive direction,” said Scott McMillan, chair of the board of trustees. “This is the first step on a journey to improve outcomes for all of our students and trustees are committed to monitor the work of staff as they focus on implementing plans that will help us achieve gains in later years.”

Breakdown of results

Grade 3

The percentage of Grade 3 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Mathematics increased by two per cent over last year, compared to a one per cent decrease for province. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province has narrowed by three percentage points compared to last year.  

The percentage of Grade 3 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Reading increased by two per cent over last year. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province remains unchanged compared to last year.

The percentage of Grade 3 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Writing is the same as last year compared to a one per cent decrease for province. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province has narrowed by one per cent compared to last year.

Grade 6

The percentage of Grade 6 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Mathematics increased by two per cent over last year. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province has narrowed by two per cent compared to last year.

The percentage of Grade 6 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Reading increased by one per cent over last year. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province has narrowed by one per cent compared to last year.

The percentage of Grade 6 WRDSB students who met the provincial standard in Writing decreased by one per cent over last year.

Grade 9

The percentage of Grade 9 (Applied) WRDSB students in Mathematics who met the provincial standard increased by 15 per cent over last year while the provincial average dropped by one per cent. WRDSB now exceed the province by 10 per cent.

The percentage of Grade 9 (Academic) WRDSB students in Mathematics who met the provincial standard increased by one per cent over last year compared no change at the provincial level. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province has narrowed by one per cent compared to last year.

OSSLT

The percentage of WRDSB students eligible to write the OSSLT for the first time who were successful increased by one per cent over last year (compared no change at the provincial level), and is one per cent higher than the province. The gap in performance between WRDSB and the province now favours WRDSB and the size of the gap has increased by one per cent compared to last year.

The percentage of WRDSB students previously eligible to write the OSSLT who were successful remains unchanged compared to last year and is 5 per cent higher than the province.