HWDSB Students make Early Reading Gains: Student Achievement Report
Grade 1 students who struggled on their February 2015 report cards rose to a B grade or above by June 2015, a Board report says.
Gains in early literacy are one standout item in the Student Achievement Report received by HWDSB Trustees at the Board Meeting on November 23.
“Our progress on early reading is great news for the future of our students,” Director of Education Manny Figueiredo said. “The gains are clear and our push will continue.”
When Board staff looked at Grade 1 report cards, they clearly saw a greater percentage of students meeting expectation in June compared to February.
In February, 48 per cent of students met standard. In June, 60 per cent met standard. (Level 3 or 4 on a four-point scale, equivalent to a B or above.)
This is important because research has demonstrated a strong and lasting relationship between oral language development and literacy skills. Early reading is a factor in future academic success and social-emotional well-being.
“As Trustees, this is an important report because it tells us that we are investing limited dollars in the right places – where we know it makes a difference for students,” Board Chair Todd White said. “Early reading is the foundation for future student success.”
One of the strategy’s key attributes is staff collaboration. HWDSB educators and other professional staff are working together across disciplines to improve the oral communication skills and early literacy of our youngest learners.
The report cites improved tracking of student work. Educators are better able to track the progress of their Kindergarten students compared to the Ontario curriculum, using the digital tool CLiC (Capturing Learning in the Classroom).
Success in early reading sets the stage for literacy work that HWDSB is also doing at the secondary level, to ensure that all students graduate.
HWDSB also saw improvement in other areas, such as secondary mathematics, re-engagement of students who left school and the expansion of specialized programs.
About HWDSB
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is engaging the community to reimagine its vision and focus. Watch for details as the Board rolls out the Reimagine HWDSB initiative so our community can help us Explore, Imagine and Launch a new direction. Learn more at www.hwdsb.on.ca or follow us on Twitter @hwdsb.
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Updated on Friday, September 24, 2021.