The latest standardized test results for Bluewater District School Board are now available from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). These include the 2015 – 2016 Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics for the Primary (Grades 1 – 3) and Junior (Grades 4 – 6) Divisions, the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics (Academic and Applied), and the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).
Bluewater continued its upward trend in Primary Reading with an increase to 62 percent of students meeting or exceeding the provincial standard. Bluewater achieved 63 percent in Primary Writing. The board has seen a steady increase in this area over time. In Primary Mathematics, Bluewater achieved 53 percent, which resembled a province wide decline.
In the Junior Division, the results for Bluewater were consistent with the last EQAO assessments in 2013 – 2014. In Junior Reading, Bluewater held steady with 74 percent of students meeting or exceeding the provincial standard. Bluewater averaged 70 percent in Junior Writing. The board's trend in this area has remained stable over the past four years. Writing is an area where additional resources continue to be allocated to support increased achievement. The Bluewater result for Junior Mathematics decreased to 35 percent, which mirrors the provincial trend over time.
In the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics, Bluewater results were consistent with those from 2014 – 2015. In Grade 9 Academic Mathematics, Bluewater averaged 78 percent. In Grade 9 Applied Mathematics, 49 percent of Bluewater students met or exceeded the provincial standard. This result surpassed the provincial average.
The Grade 10 OSSLT result has remained stable over the past three years. This year, Bluewater achieved 74 percent.
Bluewater graduation rates have continued to increase over time.
"The latest EQAO results will help to inform our next steps. We have seen steady growth over the years in Primary Reading, and Junior Reading and Writing, and are pleased with the gains we have made in Grade 9 Mathematics. We will continue to dedicate resources to support increased achievement in mathematics and literacy across the grades. We are encouraged by the newly introduced Renewed Mathematics Strategy by the Ministry of Education, which will help us to move forward," says Superintendent of Education Wendy Kolohon.