Niagara school board students well above provincial EQAO results

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) is a solid step above the provincial average when it comes to the Education, Quality, and Accountability Office (EQAO) testing.

The EQAQ is designed to assess Grades 3 and 6 students in reading, writing, and math across the province while Grade 9 students are geared more closely to their understanding of math.

The DSBN Grade 3 students topped the provincial averages with reading at 13 per cent higher, writing at 13 per cent higher, and math at 13 per cent higher.

The DSBN Grade 6 students showed similar success, performing above the provincial average by 12 per cent higher in math, and topping provincial scores in both reading and writing by 13 per cent higher.

“We are very proud of our students’ results. Elementary results are not only above last year’s, but also above provincial averages by as much as 13 per cent,” said Warren Hoshizaki, DSBN Director of Education.

“The data we receive from EQAO and OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) also provide additional insight into what students need, in both language and mathematics. Our staff always support each student and we now know that these strategies paid off last year and will continue to deliver results that have become part of the DSBN’s well-earned reputation,” said Hoshizaki.

The DSBN noted that the 2022-23 school year was the first year they took part in the EQAO Grade
9 Math assessment with the new de-streamed math curriculum. Grade 9 Math & Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

“Last year, our participation was limited to the second semester. While our results have decreased from 2021/2022, we have observed gains in many secondary schools throughout the year when we review data by
semester. We recognize that we have further work to do and we will continue to support all learners.”

While the Grade 9 students were 2.4 per cent below the provincial average, the Grade 10 students posted a similar 2.4 per cent higher mark than the previous year.

“We are pleased with the progress our secondary students are making in literacy and math,” said Leanne Smith,
DSBN Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Achievement (Grades 9-12). “The continued trend of being above provincial averages in literacy is a positive indicator that students will be successful in pursuing their goals in high school and beyond.”