One local school board drew criticism from Ontario’s Education Minister as he announced an advisory body will review the province’s approach to student assessment.
Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) test results in reading, writing and math were released Thursday morning.
“I just took over the Near North School Board, and they have some of the most horrific results in the province,” says Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “They spend too much time fighting each other and not enough time putting what is the core mandate, students. We’re seeing that at many different boards.”
Province-wide, he says the results show insufficient progress for students in grades three, six and nine.
“Progress in some areas, yes. But it’s just simply not good enough that half our kids are not meeting benchmarks,” says Calandra.
He adds the review is not about teachers, it’s about the tools and resources the ministry is giving teachers to set up students for success.
The review will look at why student outcomes aren’t improving, whether curriculum learning resources are clear and more.
Back to the Near North Board, Calandra says the education director is on a leave.
The province took over the board this week, with six in Ontario now under supervision.
