Grade 3 and 6 reading, writing and math test scores in the Waterloo region are uniformly less than the provincial average, according to more detailed EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) results released yesterday. See here. Performance is worst in Grade 3 reading and writing (being six points below the Ontario average), and best in Grade 6 reading (two points). Local Catholic-school students outperformed public-school students across the board, yet were only above the provincial average in the case of Grade 3 writing (while matching the provincial average in the case of Grade 3 math). Only about half of local students meet the Grade 6 math standard (49% and 53% of public and Catholic students, compared to 59% and 58%, respectively). The Ontario government introduced a math curriculum focused on “problem-solving” (over basic arithmetic) in 2005.

Miller states that it is not a quick fix for higher EQAO scores, but an action strategy is in the works. Some actions improving math skills include:

• trying online math tool Dreambox.
• extra support in math instruction.

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This post was written by Syngli