Youth, cultural diversity and inner-city community development the passions of EQAO's newly appointed board member, Abirami Jeyaratnam

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - The tradition of strong, diverse leadership and of dedication to Ontario student achievement has once again been renewed at the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) with the Government of Ontario's appointment of Ms. Abirami Jeyaratnam to the agency's board of directors.

A mentor and strong advocate for young people, Ms. Jeyaratnam has been involved in numerous projects supporting inner-city youth. Currently a student/parent support worker with Pathways to Education, she also has experience working with organizations like Free the Children, Canadian Tamil Youth Development, Westview Alumni Advocates for Youth, the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians and the Toronto District School Board. Ms. Jeyaratnam has forged a career helping young people develop the skills necessary to thrive.

A double graduate from the University of Toronto's International Development Studies and Health Studies programs, Ms. Jeyaratnam is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree and a graduate diploma in Education in Urban Environments from York University.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Ms. Jeyaratnam to the board of directors," said Dr. Brian L. Desbiens, Chair of EQAO's board. "Her dedication to and passion for supporting all youth, and particularly those from ethnically diverse and economically challenged urban communities, will contribute a valuable perspective to this agency's work."

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About EQAO

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is an independent agency of the Government of Ontario that is governed by a board of directors. EQAO plays a pivotal role by conducting province-wide tests at key points in every student's primary, junior and secondary education and reporting the results to the public. EQAO's tests measure student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics in relation to Ontario Curriculum expectations. The resulting data provide accountability and a gauge of quality in Ontario's publicly funded education system. By providing this important evidence about learning, EQAO acts as a catalyst for increasing the success of Ontario students.

The objective and reliable results from EQAO's tests complement the information obtained from classroom and other assessments to provide students, parents, teachers and administrators with a clear and comprehensive picture of student achievement and a basis for targeted improvement planning at the individual, school, school board and provincial levels. EQAO helps build capacity for the appropriate use of data by providing resources that educators, parents, policy-makers and others in the education community can use to improve learning and teaching.

SOURCE: Education Quality and Accountability Office

For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact

Katia Collette
Senior Communications Officer
416-212-7047
[email protected]