New Strategy to build a foundation for learning Math

Today, the Education, Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) release school board results for Grade 9 Academic and Applied Mathematics Assessments.

The Waterloo Region District School Board’s results for Academic Mathematics fell two percentage points from 2014, with 81% of students achieving at levels 3 and 4. Results for Applied Mathematics fell four percentage points from 2014, with 40% of students achieving at levels 3 and 4.

“We recognize that our results for Grade 9 Mathematics have declined, in both academic and applied,” states Angela Mercier, superintendent, student achievement & well-being. “The purpose of EQAO data is to identify areas of focus. We are hopeful that our new Math Strategy, over the course of time, will improve EQAO results at every level.”

Highlights of results:

Applied: Results for students taking the applied math assessments decreased four percentage points from 2014, with 40% of students achieving at levels 3 and 4.

  • 93% of students in applied math achieved a passing level (levels 1 through 4)

Academic: Results for academic math decreased two percentage points from 2014, with 81% of students achieving at levels 3 and 4.

  • 99.5% of students in academic math achieved a passing level (levels 1 through 4)

Other Information

  • A growing number of students are selecting academic over applied Math. In 2015, 75% of Grade 9 students are enrolled in academic, and 25% in applied Math; compared to 2011 when 69% of students were enrolled in academic and 31% in applied
  • More information on supporting student learning in Mathematics can be found in our Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement
  • Approximately 4100 Grade 9 students participated in the assessments

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About the Waterloo Region District School Board
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has approximately 40,000 elementary students and 20,000 secondary students in 118 school locations in the Region of Waterloo. From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, our schools provide instruction designed to develop in our students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide a solid foundation for living and learning. Our students regularly achieve a wide variety of honours in academics, fine arts and athletics. Our graduates have great success as they pursue further education and rewarding careers. Follow us on Twitter @wrdsb

About the Education, Quality and Accountability Office
The objective and reliable results from EQAO’s assessments complement the information obtained from classroom and other assessments to provide students, parents, teachers and administrators with a clear and comprehensive picture of student achievement and a basis for targeted improvement planning at the individual, school, school board and provincial levels.