The gains in Grade 3 reading and mathematics and Grade 6 reading, writing and mathematics were twice the rate of the provincial results.Both Dufferin-Peel students and students across the province experienced a significant improvement of 8% in Grade 9 applied mathematics.The results indicate that over 60% of Dufferin-Peel students and students across the province are at the provincial standard in Grades 3 and 6 reading, writing and mathematics.Additionally, 75% of all Dufferin-Peel students are achieving the provincial standard in Grade 9 academic mathematics.

"We are proud of the continued success of our students and staff," said Ralph Borrelli, Associate Director, Instructional Services. "Student success is a shared partnership among schools, students, the family and the parish community. The dedication of our Catholic school partners in supporting all students and helping them achieve their full potential has resulted in our continued improvement across all three areas."

The EQAO assessments provide an indication of each student's achievement in reading, writing and mathematics.The spring 2006 assessment results report on three groups of students: Grade 3 students (reading, writing and mathematics); Grade 6 students (reading, writing and mathematics) and Grade 9 students (academic and applied mathematics).

The results for students in all assessments for the last three years of tests are as follows:
 

Assessment	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006	1-Year Comparison
Grade 3 Reading	52%	58%	64%	+6%
Grade 3 Writing	63%	65%	70%	+5%
Grade 3 Mathematics	61%	63%	67%	+4%
Grade 6 Reading	58%	65%	67%	+2%
Grade 6 Writing	58%	63%	67%	+4%
Grade 6 Mathematics	54%	58%	60%	+2%
Grade 9 Academic Mathematics	71%	73%	75%	+2%
Grade 9 Applied Mathematics	30%	30%	38%	+8%

"We are committed to educating our students within the rich context of our Catholic faith and traditions," commented Marianne Mazzorato, Superintendent of Program."Our aim is to improve student achievement in all areas of learning and allowing students to reach their full potential."

Successful practices in Dufferin-Peel Catholic schools include ongoing professional learning focused on student needs, and targeted classroom instruction based on student assessment results. The board will further analyze the EQAO results to provide support to schools, parents and students with the goal of ensuring that more students continue to improve in all assessment areas.

Each school has its own plan, which will be reviewed in the context of the test results, to improve students' skills in all subject areas. School plans include strategies to assist all students, including intervention and reinforcement for students who were below the provincial standard.

Board and individual school results will be available on the board website at www.dpcdsb.org in late September 2006.Additional information on the various assessments can be obtained through the EQAO website at www.eqao.com.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is an independent agency whose mandate is to ensure greater accountability and help improve the quality of education.

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest school boards in Ontario.It currently serves approximately 89,000 students in 141 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville.It is the goal of the board to provide quality education to students in a setting which fosters Catholic values and beliefs.