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THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 17,2001 PAGE 7 Grade 9s Conditions have changed but students haven't: teachers put to the test BY JENNIFER STONE Staff Writer Final exams may be a little more than a week away, but some first-year high school students may be experiencing experiencing the stress of testing a bit early. About 2,000 Grade 9 students from the two local boards of education are joining their peers across Ontario in writing a provincewide math test this month. The liming of the test could be causing a little additional tension for students about to face their first round of high school level exams, says one 'Grade 9 test is the next step in our plan to make sure our students are learning all the skills they need for a successful future.' JANET ECKER school board spokesman. With exams stalling late next week for students with both local school boards, "the kids are experiencing a level of stress... (and) would be wanting wanting to get review done and be comfort- ' able with writing the (school level) exam," says John Mackle, superintendent superintendent with the Peterborough Victoria ' Northumberland and Clarington ' Catholic District School Board. Though the 180-minute test could provide a "good review" of the material covered over the course of the year, Mr. Mackle ' says time taken when students arc trying trying to prepare for final exams means ' there "might be some concern there." However, Della Rollins, of the Education Education Quality and Accountability Of- ' fice, says it was necessary to hold the assessment at the end of the semester, when students had completed the curriculum curriculum on which the test was based. ' Schools were given plenty of warning ' as to the timing of the test, she adds. Education Minister Janet Ecker says v rèsülts of the test will provide valuable insight. "Testing gives us important information information about how we are progressing, where we need to make improvements and where students may need additional additional support," says Ms. Ecker, adding the government has already begun testing Grade 3 and 6 students in reading, writing writing and math. Though results of the tests won't be available until fall, teachers at some public high schools will be able to use a marking sheet to grade the tests, and count results toward students' final marks, says Cec Knight, educational services advisor with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. However, he notes, "some schools have said, no, we don't want to use this" to count toward toward students' final grades. Grade 9 students who are studying math in the first semester, about half of all first-year high school students, are writing the test between now and Jan. 23, while students who are taking math in Semester Two will write the test in May or June. Locally, about 1,500 public public high school students are writing the test this semester, while about 500 pupils with the Catholic board are taking taking part. Schools have been given a choice of administering the approximately approximately 180-minute test over the course of three or five days, says Mr. Mackle. "The test covers the Grade 9 math curriculum curriculum which basically is broken into four areas," including problem solving and algebra, relationships, analytic geometry, and measurement and geometry. geometry. Different tests are given to students in the applied and academic level courses. courses. Both the new Grade 9 math test and the Grade 3 and 6 tests are administered by the EQAO, an arm's length agency of the government responsible for provincial testing. "The new Grade 9 test is the next step in our plan to make sure our students are learning all the skills they need for a successful future," notes Ms. Ecker in a media release. BY JENNIFER STONE Stu ff Writer BOWMANVILLE - Doris Falls figures almost 1,200 children passed through her classroom in her 32 years as a teacher at Bowmanville's Central Public School. The number is probably even higher for Shelley Collins, a teacher-librarian who started at the Wellington Street school in 1972, after a few years teaching teaching elsewhere. Both educators recently retired, and say, in spite of all the changes to the education education system, and the implementation implementation of masses of new technology in the classroom, the role of the teacher is as important as ever-- maybe even more so. "I don't think, as my last few years played out, I ever felt more strongly that children needed that person in front of them, or behind them, more," says Ms. Falls, who taught a variety of ages of students, from grades 2 to 8, finishing up with a Grade 4 class. The pair both say, in spite of reports to the contrary, students haven't changed dramatically over their years in the profession. "Essentially, I fee! the students themselves have not changed," says Ms. Collins. "What has changed greatly greatly is the conditions." New technology, different teaching methods, and changes to curriculum haven't greatly altered the children, agrees Ms. Falls. "You'd think the change would be more drastic, but in a sense it's the same needs." But, she adds, children now seem a little more free to attempt to quench their thirst for knowledge than in years past. "I don't think children (in past) felt free to speak out and seek their own learning the way they do today," she notes, adding students seem "much more aware of their rights, like the right to know something." The pair were at Central for a number number of the school's milestones, and were active in its 100th birthday celebrations celebrations in 1989. Throughout their careers, careers, both teachers were involved in partnerships with outside organizations, organizations, including nearby Marnwood Lifecare Centre and the Bowmanville Museum. That type of partnership over the years has be beneficial to students, says Ms. Collins. "Though the conditions around the kids have changed to a large extent, we have always and will always promote these values of citizenship," she notes. SALE PRICES END THURSDAY, JANUARY 25,2001, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED !> il .I ' / wta l.Vg , LOWEST PRICES OF THE SEASON WASHER HAS 19 CYCLES WITH AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL WASHER HAS 3-SPEED MOTOR WITH DIRECT DRIVE TRANSMISSION Save *240 on team Save $ 150 on team Jse your Sears Card and don't pay for one full year* on all major appliances KENMORE SUPER CAPACITY WASHER AND DRYER 8-program washer. #47602. Sears reg. 719.99.579.99 6-program dryer. #88602. Sears reg. 549.99.449.99 KENMORE WASHER AND DRYER Front-load washer with stainless steel tub. #40042. 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