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10 - The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, November 10, 1998 Catholie students in Halton set bar hi*gher T'he Halton Catholic District School Board has exceeded the provincial standards in last spring's prii ice wic oîi f (Grade 3 tuidentîs According tu statistics released this wcck by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), Halton Catholic students achieved higher results than the provincial average in al three aspects of the testing - reading writing and matbemnatics. Individual school results are expected to be released by the board later this month. A total of 1,686 Grade 3 students at aIl 29 Cathoic elementary schools in Halton participat- ed in the tests last May. Students were graded on a four-points system with one being the lowest and four the highest. Level three was the expected range for most Here are the numbers According lu the EQAO, o il Grade 3 stu- dents who wrote the test in Ontario, results were (Halton Catholic District School Board resuits in brackets) : - Reading: level 1, 15% (9%); level 2, 36% (34%), level 3, 45% (52%) and level 4, 4% (5%). - Writing: level 1, 7% (4%), level 2, 39% (33%), level 3, 45% (54%) and level 4 7% (9%). - Mathematics: level 1, 14% (10%), level 2, 40% (43%), level 3, 42% (43%) and level 4,4% (4%). At level 1 students have a limited understand- ing and application of reading skills. At levels 2 and 3 students have more knowl- edge, understanding and application of skills and can make connections betwcen content and experieceu. A lcvel ;studcîîi cdii Cdpnihrc complex ideas than a level 2 student and their connections are more precise. A level 4 student makes deep connections and displays a greater sophistication in understand- ing complex ideas. They are better able to con- nect what they read to what tbey are leaming in the world. Seeking improvensent "In reviewing the EQAO Grade 3 achievement results released today, we are pleased that nur Grade 3. students and teachers are continuing to achieve above the provincial resuits," said Fred director of education. "Our curriculum depart- ment and staff will continue to focus their atten- and retined cumrculum initiatives to improve the way in which our students are taught and learn these critical language and math skills." Diane Rabenda, board superintendent of edu- cation for curriculum, indicated that testing resuits should improve with the reception of new language and math resources designed to meet the expectations of the new Ontario curriculum. "We expect that the new resource materials, coupled with increased instructional time in these areas, will enable students to further improve their skills in these areas, which wiIl be reflected in future asseasment results," she said. L , n a world where anything cao happen, not just anyone can help. Our licensed home and auto insurance l advisors have the knowledge and understanding to offer you personalized service and solutions. Just call 1-800-ROYAL 2-6. We can even insure you right over the phone. *2RB3C NSURANCE MMbof iRoyal Banik Fînancial Gaîip db Rgistered rad-marlis of Royal Bank, of Canada. -Trada-mari of Rayai Bank, o Canada. Ganerai Insrance Company of Rayai Banki oi Canada, licanse of rade-maris.