Peggy Revell
Fort Frances’ Catholic schools are well above the provincial average after the release last week of EQAO testing results for schools across the province.
“I’m very proud of our results this year, and they are the result of ongoing dedication and hard work from our staff and administration,” said St. Michael’s principal Darlene Fejos Rousseau.
Across the board, Grade 3 students at St. Michael’s scored above both the Northwest Catholic District School Board’s and provincial average. Some 78 percent of students achieved or were above the set provincial standard for reading, 72 percent for writing, and 80 percent for mathematics.
Over at St. Francis, results for Grade 6 students also were above both the NCDSB and provincial averages. For instance, 79 percent of students achieved or were above the set provincial standard for reading, 70 percent for writing, and 68 percent in mathematics.
Occurring once a year, the province-wide EQAO testing shows a “snapshot” of what a student in Grade 3 or 6 can do in the areas of reading, writing and math, explained St. Francis School’s principal Teresa Dennis.
For example, problem-solving skills in mathematics, or proving answers with evidence in reading and writing, she noted.
“The test is one slice of the year, but we’re always delighted to know that what we’re doing is very effective,” she said.
St. Francis School’s improvement plan has been focused on the three areas of reading, writing, and math, added Dennis, working with students at all levels and providing support.
Because the EQAO looks at skills, teachers often already have an idea of where students results will be, she said.
“So this just kind of reaffirms what is working in amidst all other types of assessments that these teachers do throughout the year.”
There are many resources and supports that contributed to St. Michael’s successful results, said Fejos Rousseau, such as input from the learning and numeracy secretariat, government support, involvement with differentiated instruction, a reading resource teacher, the Catholic professional learning team, district review team, and much more.
“Our teachers are awesome, I have to say. I’m very, very proud of everybody,” Fejos Rousseau enthused. “We’re just continuing to do what we do, just adding to it, and really working with what has done well for us and continuing on that route.”
And if the numbers and results seem confusing, Fejos Rousseau welcomes parents to come in and talk to the teachers and see what is going on to achieve those EQAO numbers.
“Our whole school is involved with improvements, and it starts even in kindergarten,” she stressed. “Any parent is welcome to come in and ask teachers about what’s being done at the school.”
The wonderful parental support is another one of the key components to these results, Fejos Rousseau added.
“I would just like to congratulate our teachers and our students for all the hard work they’ve put in, not just this year, but last year and all these years, because it’s an ongoing achievement,” she remarked.
