News Release


Positive Ontario student results a welcome change

McGuinty Government Credits Boards, Students, Educators, Parents

November 10, 2004

TORONTO – The McGuinty government appreciates the significant improvements reported today in this year's provincewide reading, writing and math test results, but acknowledges there is still much work to be done, Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said today.

"Students are doing better and it is great to have progress after years where their results were effectively stalled," said Kennedy following the release of 2004 test results by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).

"Our school boards, educators, parents and students are showing some of what publicly funded education can do when it is allowed to be focused and supported." Five out of six tests administered to Grade 3 and 6 English-language students have increased average results.

Overall, the EQAO reported today that the number of Grade 3 English-language students reaching the provincial standard is up seven percentage points to 64 per cent in math compared to the year before, up four points to 54 per cent in reading, and up three points to 58 per cent in writing. Results for Grade 6 English-language students are up four percentage points in math to 57 per cent, up two points in reading to 58 per cent, and remained stable in writing with 54 per cent of students reaching the provincial standard.

The McGuinty government's goal is to ensure that all students achieve a high level of literacy, numeracy and comprehension by age 12. It has set a target for 75 per cent of Ontario students to be at the provincial standard on provincewide reading, writing and math tests by 2008.

"While these results are encouraging, we know there is much more work to be done," said Kennedy.

"We will need new efforts at every level to really unlock our students' full potential and have the sustained improvement we need."

A new provincial Education Foundations program is being developed with assistance from Senior Advisor Michael Fullan and has already resulted in increased support of students.

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