A Message from Director of Education
jeewan chanicka

To make these goals a reality and to guide our annual work, we created our 2022-23 Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP). Fundamentally, the BIEP understands that every student is unique, and lays out our commitment to providing all students with the resources and support they need to achieve their full potential in the classroom and in life. In October 2023, we shared the impact we’ve seen so far. 

The results of the implementation of the 2022-23 BIEP are encouraging and allow us to better understand the effectiveness of the strategies we’ve put in place. Most importantly, we are seeing growth in students’ academic achievement, especially in the key areas of literacy and numeracy. This is as a direct result of understanding that equity must be foundational to the work we do as a system. We know this progress alone is not enough. We are committed to continued growth in an effort to systematically reach each and every student that we serve.

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As we reflect on 2023, the data gives us plenty to be proud of. In fact, it shows that the strategies and plans we’re putting in place are having a positive impact on achievement and well-being for the students we serve. 

 

EQAO Results 

The 2022-23 EQAO assessment results are a key piece of data in helping us to determine the effectiveness of our strategies, and how we can fine tune our approach to support more students. 

 

Grade 3 

For students in Grade 3, WRDSB results were equal to the provincial average in Reading and Writing, and 1% below in Math. Compared to our results in the 2021-22 EQAO assessment, this represents: 

• Reading +1%

• Writing +2%

• Math +1%
   

Grade 6

The results of the Grade 6 assessments were also encouraging, with WRDSB results meeting the provincial standard in Reading, and 1% above in Writing and Math. Compared to our results in the 2021-22 EQAO assessment, this represents: 

• Reading -1%

• Writing +0%

• Math +2%

 

Grade 9 Math

For the Grade 9 math assessment, the WRDSB results showed we were 1% above the provincial standard. Compared to our results in the 2021-22 assessment, this represents a 4% increase.

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OSSLT

In the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) results for the 2022-23 school year, the WRDSB results were equal to the provincial standard. Compared to our results in the 2021-22 assessment, we see no change.

 

EQAO MLL Primary and Junior Assessments

A year ago, we shared data for our MLL students’ performance. At the time, it revealed a lot of work to do better. We took that to heart and staff continued to work hard at doing better. Taking a closer look at the most recent EQAO assessment data, specifically focusing on our multilingual learner (MLL) students, we see even more to be proud of. When we compare the results for 2022-23 to the previous school year, we see that there were notable increases in the number of MLL students achieving the provincial standard at the primary and junior assessments.

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Grade 3: 

• Reading +13%

• Writing +14%

• Math +17% 

 

Grade 6: 

• Reading +20%

• Writing +15%

• Math +31%

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The good news continued at the secondary level, too. We saw a 21% increase in the Grade 9 math assessment, and a 35% increase in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) compared to the previous school year. 

 

These results are especially impressive, recognizing that WRDSB has traditionally been below the provincial standard in MLL assessments. Now, we find ourselves above the standard in six areas. 

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Suspensions and Expulsions 

Our work in the area of suspensions and expulsions remains rooted in anti-racist, anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-carceral practices. We’re seeing the results of this work in a drastic reduction in suspensions and expulsions, even when taking into account the removal of discretionary suspensions in Kindergarten to Grade 3. 

 

Using suspension days as a measure of the effects of suspensions, we’ve seen this indicator reduce from more than 10,000 suspension days in the 2018-19 school year, to 7,000 in the 2022-23 school year. As a result of various learning modes over the past few school years the best comparator to this year's suspension and expulsion data is 2018-2019. 

 

This is as a direct result of understanding that human rights must be foundational to the work we do as a system. We know this progress alone is not enough. We are committed to continued growth in an effort to systematically reach each and every student that we serve.

 

Student Achievement

Student academic achievement and well-being represent our core work. We are committed to making our schools places where every student can be successful. However, we know we can’t do this alone. We are committed to meaningful engagement that is open, accessible, inclusive and responsive. We know that decisions are improved by working with students, families and community members. 

In May, we hosted the Transforming Education: Literacy and Numeracy for a Changing World event. The event highlighted the programs and partnerships available through WRDSB, from how we’re transforming STEM education, to the innovative work educators are doing to de-stream math and English. The evening presented a unique opportunity for attendees to hear directly from educators and students about how they are developing knowledge, skills, and interests to help them succeed in their chosen path. Students shared examples of their work and spoke directly about how their learning experiences provided them opportunities for growth and supported their academic success.