EQAO results for 2015 – 2016

Posted On Tuesday October 04, 2016

The Durham Catholic District School Board is pleased to report on results from the 2015 – 2016 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments, including the Primary and Junior assessment, Grade 9 Mathematics, and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).

Primary and Junior Assessment

In the spring of 2016 the Durham Catholic District School Board had a total of 1,505 Grade 3 students who wrote the Primary assessment and 1,485 Grade 6 students who wrote the Junior assessment.

The Grade 3 students scored 75 per cent and achieved level 3 or 4 in Reading (province average 72 per cent). In the area of Writing, Grade 3 students scored 77 per cent (compared to 74 per cent in the province).  In the area of Mathematics, Grade 3 students scored 62 per cent where the province scored 63 per cent.

At the Grade 6 level, 85 per cent achieved levels 3 or 4 in Reading compared to 81 per cent in the province. In Writing, 83 per cent of the Grade 6 students scored level 3 or 4 while the province was at 80 per cent. Lastly, in the area of Mathematics, Grade 6 students scored 50 per cent which was the same as the province.

This data allows schools to further analyze their students’ achievement and target areas for improvement.

“We continue to be pleased with the high level of achievement in Literacy (reading and writing) in both the Primary and Junior Divisions," said Gerry O'Reilly, Superintendent of Education: Student Achievement. "Our educators will refine proven strategies and identify students who need support earlier to enhance student achievement, especially in the area of Mathematics," he said.


OSSLT Literacy 2016

The OSSLT is a one-day test focused on key skills in reading and writing that are expected in the Ontario curriculum across all subject areas up to the end of Grade 9. Successful completion of the OSSLT is a non-credit requirement for graduation.

The achievement results for first-time eligible students at the Durham Catholic District School Board was 74 per cent passed, compared to 75 per cent provincially. In Durham Catholic District School Board, 95 per cent of eligible students participated fully in the assessment; 91 per cent of students who wrote the assessment were successful.

 “We continue to maintain stable results over time on the OSSLT assessment, in keeping with the province. Our staff will continue to fully analyze these results, ensuring that all students can be successful through a highly precise and personalized approach to teaching and learning in the classrooms,” said Tracy Barill, Superintendent of Education: Teaching and Learning.  

Grade 9 Math

The Board continues to see gains in the cohort data comparing achievement levels of students in Mathematics for Grade 6 versus Grade 9, and views this as a positive sign in the focus on the transition between the elementary and secondary schools.

“Mathematics has been identified both provincially and within our Board as a priority area. Through the province’s Renewed Math Strategy and our own Numeracy Action Plan, we will see increased supports in the schools to address areas for growth in the Mathematics classrooms. We look forward to applying the same principles that have resulted in high levels of achievement in Literacy to the Mathematics context," said Anne O’Brien, Director of Education.

Highlights of the Durham Catholic District School Board's Results

  • 74 per cent of Academic Math students and 40 per cent of the Applied Math students met the provincial standard.
  • The Board's Applied and Academic level of cohort Mathematics data from Grade 6 to Grade 9 continues to increase.
  • Of the 322 Applied Mathematics students, 30 per cent (95 students) did not meet the provincial standard in Grade 6, but met it in Grade 9.
  • Of the 1,081 students in Academic level Mathematics to complete the assessment, 61 per cent (659 students) meet the standard in both Grade 6 and 9.
  • 13 per cent (141 Academic level students) did not meet the standard in Grade 6, but met it in Grade 9.

“We remain committed to supporting our students’ academic achievement in Mathematics. As such, we are pleased to see the expansion of initiatives such as the Ultimate Potential Math program in all of our secondary schools this year to address gaps in learning. Through the dedication and commitment of our staff and parents, we will continue to improve outcomes for all students,” said Theresa Corless, Chair of the Board.

View detailed  EQAO results and additional information.