News Release


Ontario's English-Language Students Tops In Canada

McGuinty Government Applauds Excellence in Reading and Math

April 28, 2008

Ontario's 13-year-old English-language students are achieving excellent results in reading and math, according to a pan-Canadian study released today.

The results of the Pan-Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) show that Ontario's English-language students:

  • scored significantly higher in reading than their counterparts in other provinces and territories
  • were the only ones to score above the Canadian average in math
  • scored at the Canadian average in science.

When the results for English- and French-language students are combined, Ontario is at the Canadian average in reading and math, with just Quebec scoring significantly higher than the average.

PCAP's goal is to inform Canadians about how well their education systems are meeting students' needs and where improvements can be made.

This is the third report in a row demonstrating that Ontario students have excellent literacy skills. Ontario ranked among the top jurisdictions in the recent Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

Quotes

"Ontario is achieving great things because we're committed to helping every student reach his or her full potential. Congratulations to students, parents and educators on the work they've done to achieve such great results," said Education Minister Kathleen Wynne.

Quick Facts

  • Over 30,000 students participated in the assessment: two-thirds did the reading component and one-third did the math and science components.
  • The majority of results on all Grade 3 and 6 Ontario reading, writing and math tests have improved by at least 10 percentage points since 2003.

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