EQAO scores and mental health resources were discussed once again by the Upper Canada District School Board at their recent meeting.
The conversations stemmed from reviewing and updating the board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan, which provides a benchmark in various categories the trustees want to reach.
Director of Education Ron Ferguson says their EQAO numbers are improving but admits they’re not at the benchmarks the province has set.
The board’s increased for the second year in a row in every category, but still mostly fall short of the provincial standard of 70%, or Level 3.
Level 3 is the benchmark for being ready for the next grade, showing that students can effectively apply their knowledge and are prepared for future learning.
Grade 6 students at UCDSB are performing at Level 3 in both reading and writing, meeting provincial expectations, with steady improvement over the past few years.
Math remains a challenge across all grades. Grade 3 and Grade 6 math scores are at Level 2 while Grade 9 students continue to score at Level 1 in math and have not yet met the expected standards in other subjects.
Writing in Grade 3 is also at Level 2 and continues to develop toward the benchmark.
Mental health was also a topic broached by Trustee John McAllister, who asked how accessible mental health services are for students.
Ferguson said that’s a question asked often by students and guardians.
What each staff member is expected to provide, Ferguson says, is the baseline level of support, and the ability to flag concerns they may see and pass them along to outside agencies the board.
Story by Grant Deme with files from Jess Minnie