Students Demonstrate Continuous Improvement 

Students at the District School Board of Niagara surpass the provincial success rate on the 2015 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Overall, 83% of DSBN students who wrote the test for the first time met or exceeded the provincial standard, which is measured as Level 3 on a 4 point scale. Across Ontario, 82% of students met the standard.  

The DSBN’s 2015 results represent a 1 percentage point improvement over those in 2014 and a 3 point increase over 2013. “Overall, we’re encouraged with the progress students are making in literacy. Supporting students in this critical area has been a priority for schools. The hard work of staff and students has made these gains possible,” said Helen McGregor, Superintendent of Education.  

Evidence of this determined focus on literacy is readily seen in the performance of two groups: English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education students. In 2014, 67% of ELL students met or exceeded the provincial standard. One year later, 89% of ELL students at the DSBN were successful on the test. In 2015, 59% of Special Education students were successful; an 8 point improvement over 2014 and 4 percentage points above the provincial success rate for Special Education students.   

Included in this year’s results, 11 DSBN high schools had success rates of 80% or above, while 4 schools achieved success rates of 90% and above. Ten schools increased their success rates compared to last year.  

“Although we are pleased with these results, it is important to keep in mind that the EQAO is just one assessment of many that we use to gauge student learning. Having that combination of assessments helps give us a clearer picture of how students are progressing,” added McGregor.  

DSBN Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki said that the Board is committed to providing students with the support they need to become successful in school. “The real key to these improvements in student learning is the effort made by all staff to look at learners as individuals and target specific programs and supports to meet their particular learning needs,” said Hoshizaki. 

For more information about the EQAO, please visit www.eqao.com.