Board’s action plan to focus on reading, writing but not math

The Northwest Catholic District School Board will focus on improving grade three/six test scores in reading and writing during annual testing, but not necessarily mathematics, after trustees approved it at last night’s meeting here.
While curriculum co-ordinator Ron Fryer described reading and writing as the “meat and potatoes” of the eight-page action plan, Education Director Carol-Lynne Oldale was quick to point out its lack of emphasis on mathematics.
“Before I came here in 1999, [former director] Paul Jackson had been directed to focus on mathematics,” she noted. “Consequently, our scores from last year had increased dramatically from 1998.
“While we’ll never lose focus on results of the math testing, it seemed we should now shift the emphasis to reading and writing this year,” Oldale added.
Fryer said the key to the plan was increased communication between both the board and staff, and parents and stakeholders.
Other expectations within the plan include:
•creating a positive environment for testing;
•improving student skills related to testing;
•identifying assessment and evaluation as a board priority;
•greater competency in the application of reading skills;
•greater competency in reasoning while reading;
•full and consistent use of the writing process throughout the system;
•greater competency in communication and application of writing skills; and
•increased student ability to communicate mathematical knowledge and problem solving skills.
Only board chair Wade Petranik raised a question about the extensive plan.
“How do you indicate success throughout the year before the testing in May? Wouldn’t numbers be the best way to show progress?” he wondered.
Both Oldale and Fryer agreed teachers and principals will be asked to get teachers to implement daily reading and volunteer reading in classes, and devise reading programs–such as contests–to encourage students to read more often.
Surveys among teachers and principals were another possibility mentioned.
Following the release of the Education Quality and Accountability Office’s reading, writing, and mathematics test results for separate schools here last October, the local board has since worked to assess those results and form a plan to improve scores in future testing.
The board’s plan will be sent on to EQAO within the week.
EQAO’s results show how students compare to provincial averages, as well as other schools, in the three areas. Last year was the third year for grade three testing and the first for grade six students.
Testing for both grade three and six students will take place once again next month (May 8-26).
In other business last night, the board:
•received the cash disbursements for March totalling $690, 963.18;
•accepted the April 18 personnel report, which noted the appointment of Blaine Frenette and John Kirk as head custodians at Our Lady of the Way and St. Michael’s School respectively; the leave of absence for teacher Randy Kirk from St. Michael’s School until June 21, 2001; the resignation of Leanna Bullock, education assistant at St. Joseph’s School; and the transfer of teacher Kathleen Mueller from St. Francis to St, Michael’s;
•heard regular reports from the salary, SEAC, and native advisory committees; and
•looked over a schedule of events for Catholic Education Week (May 2-7).