HWDSB Continues Upward Trend with New Student Learning and Achievement Data
Hamilton, Ontario – March 4, 2021: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) is committed to improving Student Learning and Achievement through effective instructional strategies. Staff remain focused on supporting students as they progress towards graduation and reading proficiency is a key part of that journey. The 2020-21 Student Learning and Achievement Report provides an update on these important goals.
Graduation
New Ministry of Education data shows that HWDSB’s five-year high school graduation rate rose to 82 per cent for students who started Grade 9 in 2014-15 and remained with HWDSB. The figure points to an increase from the previous year and marks a fifth consecutive cohort with a graduation rate at or above 80 per cent.
“From the moment our students enter HWDSB schools, our dedicated educators and partners are working towards helping them leave high school with a diploma in their hands,” said Manny Figueiredo, Director of Education. “We are pleased to see the graduation rate match a recent high of 82 per cent and look forward to seeing the 2014-15 cohort achieve continued success in their post-secondary endeavours. However, we need to unpack which students have historically been underserved and not graduating. Our first student census data collection this spring will be critical for our system as we continue to move our equity focus forward to improve academic outcomes.”
Achievement results from Semester 1 in 2020-21 show continued progress. Despite the obstacles with teaching and learning within an adaptive model due to the COVID-19 pandemic, credit attainment improved by 7 percentage points to 91 per cent by the end of the first semester. Staff plan to focus student success supports in Semester 2 on our Grade 9 students, as this has been a challenging school year to transition to secondary school.
Reading
Similar to graduation rates, reading achievement continues to trend upwards and staff are seeing a narrowing of the gap for students attending High Priority Schools. For the first time in recent years, more than 75 per cent of HWDSB students in Grades 4 to 6 were reading at the provincial standard (Level 3 or B-) at the end of the first term.
“Teaching and learning reading skills during a pandemic is a challenge, but our students and staff are not letting public health measures, school closures, and other barriers slow down their improvements,” continued Figueiredo. “Our students and staff, especially in the Remote Elementary Learning Program and High Priority Schools, have shown incredible resilience and their efforts are being reflected in the data. I am extremely proud of the collective commitment of our educators and school leaders to focus on closing the reading gap.”
Student Learning and Achievement
Improving graduation outcomes and reading achievements for students historically underserved are key goals in HWDSB’s 2021-22 Annual Plan. This commitment is being addressed through the following strategies:
- Investing in People: Providing differentiated professional learning and resources;
- Leveraging Effective Practices: Implementing effective instructional, assessment, and engagement practices; and
- Refining Measures of Progress: Developing and implementing the tools required to monitor the progress students make.
“Reaching these Student Learning and Achievement milestones is a cause for celebration any year, but especially during this past school year,” said Figueiredo. “Our students and staff have had to face tremendous adversity, but this data shows continued growth for the HWDSB community. We want to thank our students and staff for their dedication to learning. We know it has not been easy, but you continue to make us proud.”
Learn more in our HWDSB Graduate Rate Infographic and our Reading Achievement Infographic. You can also read the 2020-21 Semester 1 Student Learning and Achievement Report here.
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Media Contact
Shawn McKillop, APR
Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
Cell: 905.515.6227 | Email: [email protected]
Updated on Thursday, March 04, 2021.