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| Thursday, November 2, 2017 | 4 C ath o lic board revising m ath plan in w ake o f EQAO by Kathy Yanchus Metroland W est Media In the wake of "a downward trend" in Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) mathematics results specifically, the Halton Catholic board is revising its mathematics action plan, trustees were told at the last regular board meeting. Although results for the 20 f 6/20 f 7 school year indicate that HCDSB students remain above the provincial average in core subjects, there were notable drops in mathematics, as well as reading and writing. In Grade 3 Math, 75 per cent of Halton students met or exceeded the provincial average versus 79 per cent the previous year in EQAO results. In Grade 6, the figures remained the same as the previous year' s EQAO results at 64 per cent, but that was down from 74 per cent in 2 0 f4 /2 0 f5 . There was also a four per cent drop in Grade 9 academic math results over the previous year from 89 to 85 per cent. "As for the downward trend, it is a much bigger discussion and question as to what w e're looking at insofar as Grade 3 and 6 results over time are indicating to us, when it comes to mathematics," said Anna Prkacin, superintendent of education, curriculum | Metroland Media file photo services. "We definitely know w e have an issue in Grade 6 (mathematics). We're looking at change being a three to five-year plan." Sixteen Halton schools are being specifically targeted with intense support in the hope that EQAO results will improve, she said. "Having said that, EQAO is not the only measure w e use to determine whether students are doing well; w e have report cards, benchmark assessments and many other ways of understanding how students are learning, outside of a test that takes place over a short period of time." "Having said that, w e do accept and understand accountability for ensuring that our teachers and students are prepared to the best of their ability and achieving to their best. We're always looking forward to improving ourselves and looking at our next steps of learning that are important in our planning, and looking forward to improvement all around." Combining academic and applied Grade 9 mathematics results, the success rate is 79.7 per cent for the most recent EQAO results, while that same group had a success rate of 67 per cent in Grade 6, said Colin McGillicuddy, superintendent of education, school services. There is som e question about whether or not the Grade 6 mathematics concepts are appropriate developmentally, said McGillicuddy. "There may be som e issues there that may be reflected in the fact that the ministry is conducting a refresh or review of the curriculum. Only time will tell what that may bring us," he said. www.insidehalton.com | O A K V IL L E BEAVER FROM SAVOURY & SWEET DISHES THAT IN V IG O R A TE THE PALATE,TO A W A R M A N D IN V IT IN G ATMOSPHERE, IN Dr. Marisa D'Angelo Dr. Shivani Saggar We offer full Family Dental Services in our new modern office in a calm and relaxing environment.We are a paperless office and use digital x-rays.We welcome kids, teens, adults and seniors. NEW PATIENTS are welcome and we will accommodate your dental emergencies. We will directly bill your insurance company and offer convenient evening and weekend appointments. 2525 Old Bronte Road, Suite #130 N \ 5 DundasSt.W. Pine Qian Rd. - t Palermo Professional Centre (groundflo o r) 9 0 5 -8 2 7 -8 7 0 0 w w w .reflectio n s-d en tal.ca 2017 Diam ond Award1 Winner for 4*" I I s ALL YOU CAN EAT MTOOOffl d ® E M M S Voted Best Accountant by Oakville Beaver Readers for 11 Consecutive Years `'B e st S u sh i! ULTIMATE D IN IN G EXPERIENCE LIKE N O OTHER. O U R M O D ER N FUSION CUISINE Enjoy the many appetizing dishes from the teppanyaki grill and Dim sum menu, or relish in the fresh sushi & sashimi. Each dish provides d e ep and rich flavours while providing an allure for more.The fusion of flavours from 2 very distinctive cuisines will surely provide diners with an exquisite meal. Order in style with our Ip a d Ordering system 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval Oakville 905-338-6228 · A c c o u n tin g · A u d itin g · Taxation^ R icky W ong CPA, CA, MBA, B. Eng w w w .a u g u s t 8 .c a C all us for reservations 10% OFF Dinner only. Cash only & with this ad. For m ore inform ation please check our website www.rickywong.ca 1200 Speers Rd., Unit 32, Oakville, Ont. L6L 2X4 (905) 845 -1 4 0 8 | Fax (905) 845 - 5 9 3 1 1ricky@rickywong.ca