EQAO Profiles Secondary Schools That Have Been Successful in Using Data as an Essential Tool for Improving Student Learning Français
Jun 13, 2012, 10:27 ET
TORONTO, June 13, 2012 /CNW/ - "The OSSLT results provide meaningful information that lead teachers to become more confident about data and therefore more open to sharing with each other," said Gloria Krampp, principal at All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, when pointing out the importance of EQAO data as a driver for overall school improvement. "The EQAO data motivates teachers to teach literacy skills across the curriculum."
The use of EQAO data by schools and school boards to monitor students' achievement of curriculum expectations and to identify areas for improvement in programs has become a hallmark of Ontario's publicly funded education system. As part of its public reporting of results, EQAO is once again presenting profiles of schools that are notable for their success at improving their students' literacy skills, as demonstrated by rising OSSLT scores over the years.
The following five English-language schools are being profiled this year: All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Burlington Central High School in Burlington, Catholic Central High School in London, Centennial Secondary School in Belleville and St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kenora. These schools are at various stages of their own journey of learning and are just a few of the many dedicated schools that can be found right across Ontario. They are notable for their leadership, data-driven strategies and whole-school approaches to helping each student succeed. Under unique circumstances, each one of these schools has adopted an action plan to work toward improved student outcomes using provincial assessment results as a guide.
"The profiled schools and their communities should be proud of the progress they have made, and we are pleased EQAO data and resources have helped them in their journey," said Marguerite Jackson, EQAO's Chief Executive Officer. "These schools exemplify how powerful information such as EQAO results in the hands of committed professionals can lead to great things for young people all across Ontario."
Educators at these schools share what EQAO test results and other data have taught them about their students, as well as the innovative approaches they are using to address their students' needs.
- All Saints Catholic Secondary School, Whitby (Durham Catholic District School Board)
"You absolutely need data to inform your school plan and to drive instruction, but it is only one piece. The teacher-student relationship is crucial. At All Saints we are blessed to have staff that look at data and then translate it into actions that are good for students."
— Gloria Krampp, Principal
"The role of the principal is to provide the latitude and resources that will enable teachers to utilize their expertise and focus on learning strategies that contribute to improved student achievement and overall student success."
— Jonathan Shoss, principal
"We have an increasingly diverse community, making it very important that we work together as a team to reach and engage our students. Ongoing communication with parents throughout the year has enabled us to encourage and support our students in understanding that literacy is a part of every curriculum, not just English and the OSSLT."
— Mark Priamo, principal
"We have a passion for literacy, and teach literacy the same way in geography as we do in science and in English. We teach literacy skills to make children successful, not only on the OSSLT, but in all their courses."
— Ian Press, principal
"We use data to influence our classroom instruction and school improvement planning. Our goal is to have a consistent approach throughout all subject areas. We study Grades 6, 9 and 10 EQAO data, school climate surveys, attendance records and classroom marks."
— Paul White, principal
Available on EQAO's Web Site are the full school stories, as well as stories from schools profiled in previous years. Also available is EQAO's provincial news release "More Than Eight Out of 10 Ontario Students Develop Required Literacy Skills by Grade 10" and a backgrounder.
Les résultats des écoles de langue française sont disponibles en français.
For further information:
and to arrange interviews, please contact:
Katia Collette
Communications Officer
416-212-7047
[email protected]