The latest EQAO results for the Hamilton Public and Catholic School Boards show many young students are still having a hard time with math.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office says 49 per cent of Grade 3 students in the Public Board achieved the standard in math, compared to 62 per cent provincially.
In Grade 6, 39 per cent hit the mark locally, compared to 50 per cent across Ontario.
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80 per cent of Grade 9 academic math students reached the standard, just below 83 per cent provincially. Only 39 per cent of applied math students in Grade 9 Public schools achieved the standard, compared to 44 per cent across Ontario.
HWDSB EQAO 2017 Results
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Over at Hamilton’s Catholic School Board, 69 per cent of Grade 3 students achieved the provincial standard in math, 80 per cent in reading, and 80 per cent in writing. Provincially, the results were 62 per cent in math, 74 per cent in reading, 73 per cent in writing.
“We have much to celebrate. The tremendous effort of our staff together with the important support of parents and Catholic School Councils continues to nurture and strengthen our system’s commitment to excellence and ongoing improvement,” said Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board chairperson Patrick Daly. “We’re very proud of our students and their achievements.”
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In Grade 6, 47 per cent of local students achieved the provincial standard in math, 81 per cent in reading, and 82 per cent in writing, compared to 50, 81, and 82 per cent, respectively.
83 per cent of Grade 9 academic math students met the provincially set bar, while only 41 per cent of applied math students met the standard. That compares to provincial math results of 83 per cent (academic) and 44 per cent (applied).
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“Unfortunately, achievement in mathematics, as measured by the EQAO assessment, continues to be disconnected from the positive achievement in literacy. This disconnect needs to be examined closely both locally and across the province,” said Director of Education David Hansen.
“Given that the achievement of students in EQAO mathematics in Grade 6 and at the Applied level in Grade 9 continues to be below an acceptable standard across the province, it is essential that the Ministry of Education provides an immediate and in-depth review of the mathematics curriculum and mathematics education in the province. The gap between achievement in literacy and mathematics is inexplicable.”
OSSLT results indicate 94 per cent of fully participating students achieved the provincial standard in the Grade 10 literacy test, compared to 93 provincially.