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12 ·The IFP· Halton Hills ·Thursday, June 21, 2012 Halton Grade 10 students ace provincial literacy test In Grade 10 literacy test results released by the Halton District School Board last week, 89 per cent of Grade 10 students (Halton-wide) passed the test on their first attempt. The percentage was 80 per cent at Acton High School and 86 per cent at Georgetown District High School. More detailed results are available for each school at www.eqao.com. This year 4,010 first-time eligible students in the Halton District School Board participated in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). This represents 97% of all Grade 10 students and is one of the highest participation rates in the province. Boards are permitted to exempt or defer students for whom the test is not currently appropriate. Eighty-nine per cent of Halton District School Board students passed the test on their first attempt, which is above the provincial average of 82%. The success rate of students in Halton has been maintained during the past five years while the number of successful Grade 10 students in the Halton District School Board has grown with the population. The percentage of fully participating students and the success rate of students in Halton has continued to surpass the provincial average during this five-year period. "I am pleased to see continuous improvement in the mandatory Grade 10 Literacy test with 89% of our students being successful on their first attempt (province 82%)," says David Euale, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. "This result is significant especially in light of the fact that in the Halton District School Board 97% of the students participate, compared to 93% provincially." Students who are unsuccessful or miss their first opportunity to write the OSSLT may take the test in subsequent years. As well, students who have found the format of the test difficult have the opportunity to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) to improve their literacy and develop a portfolio to demonstrate their reading and writing skills. Successful completion of this course meets the literacy requirement for graduation. Associate Director, Jeff Blackwell feels strongly that Halton District School Board students are being well prepared for the literacy test. "The efforts of our teachers and the Board to improve literacy for all students-- both elementary and secondary-- is reflected in these results," says Blackwell.