The Canadian Champion, Friday, June 13, 2008 - A5 Halton'si ctic ï tdn score above Ontario Iiteracy average Boasts overall pass rate of 92% By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Grade 10 students in the Halton Catholic Distroct School Board have demonstrated they are ahove average when it tomes to literacy The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Resuhts for 2008 were released this week, with 92 per cent of students in the Catholic board passing the test. This was Weil ahove the provincial average of 84 per cent. It's an important attomplish- ment, atcording to Rick MacDonald, superintendent of education, curricultum servîces with the lalton Catholic Distrit School Board. 1 îhînk this speaks Weil for the board and we're extreimely protid of thse results,- he saod. More ihan 2,200 students in ihe regions seven Catholît highi schools wrote the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in March. The Halton Catholit boards success rate is up three per cent from last years success rate of 89 per cent. The increase reflects the dedication of the high schools, MacDonald said. 1 think the teachers and the principals deserve praise, as Weil as the central office staff hecause they are providing support in the schools," hie said. It os a concerted effort, fromn senior administration Go the classroomn teachers. Everybody in the sys- temt embraces the concept of student improvement." MacDonald said that the stu- dents' success is also reliant on solid instruction ti vounger grades. "Wc have to remnember that Ghesc students are in the system from Kondergarten to Grade 12, so 1 think we have to congratu- late our elemnentary teachers and principals as well," he said. This years hreakdlown of stu- dents successfully comipleting the Ontario Secondary St.hool Literacy Test in Halton by school is: Assumptoon (Burlington) - 93 per cent, Bishop Reding (Milton) - 88 per cent, Christ the King (Halton Hilîs) - 92 per cent, Holy Trinity (Oakville) - 92 per cent, Notre Dame (Burlington) - 91 per cent, St. lgnatius of Loyola (Oakvîlle) - 94 per cent and St. Thomas Aquinas (Oakville) - 90 per cent. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test is a manda- tory requirement on provincial high schooLs. The test consists of multiple choice, short essay and long essay questions in var- tons categonies, such as reading and writing. While some par- ents and educators have voiced concern against standardized testing, MacDonald said it is an invaluable tool in tweaking the curriculum to ensure students are up 10 provincial literacy standards. "The test is used to measure o see TEST on page A13 Dîd you know. On) an orthodontist Ïp idîen doig braces' Braces for Chidren and Aduits G311 1 31Commercial St. Suite 209 Milton Personalmzed care from Or. Bacchus Located acmoss from th. Milton Sports Centre Wheelchair accessible Freis parking Pieus cm@i la and asi ahut er spaial pricesf Multiple family memtwe discounts Orthodonties: Creating Beautiful Smilea, Confidence & SeIf-Esteem Cati or office to schedute your FREE consultation! www.tingrins.ca Sec arn orthodor±îist... th e pcoîrtrairicd -. rrv ro itrn tcî tc 1t i ab î'il'.. -I11111Ik raro~I~~ ~JibW 2Wii 'S c c' 8 TOCHOOSE FROM WteC, 1/. Ton, Air Condition, #rom 20,0im's Gop Blo Box Remte Sile 6510 CHOASE FRGM 46 C8. tito an, N Grp unre* Keyleou tny Wte, Wint heady! il 500km'o Suto. AgC, Parn tois, AmFmICD, KseisBt Gntry, Pesater, hi, Oikt s Fsm vy Moisr V6h Leattsh ai Gsey 90 itiSme - Pý1f1 540Nî] tr ,itleCM>4 Bath ,Suto AiC. ý Pr G p, COCru s- Spoiler 152.400kms 111o f ______________ . à Whist lo, 15ii tk8,00 21104 PF'IIt, i Spssd, Fuel Miser, AmFmCD, Tilt, PiC, Moon Stone MstaIIIC, 12, 000 lo Beigs, Auto, AiC, Sptie s eyless Gntry' Ony5i,5tikms 3.6 6, osp Auto, Silos ro/BlutS Lsather Romots Entry 17" ChromesWhss o' Compar 5witO Nmw! 18,20OmSs' 3.51 V6 pr Grp. Auto, Ch, Fît Lampe. ABBr"k From 38 itOSms 'r~w 1' Sedan. Pr Grp CO, konss Romotes Only 35 0h10a"3h1w e 24 Hour Roadside Assistance canada * USED VEHICLES e 30 Day I 2500 kms No Hassie Exchange Policy III ' L à ý 1 ý 1 mm ---- - - . - MUID, Alt, 112111,111 111111A11