RELEASE: PVNC Catholic sees significant gains in EQAO math scores

Oct. 30, 2024

PETERBOROUGH – The 2023-2024 EQAO results were presented to Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic District School Board Trustees last night.

The results showcase significant progress in mathematics across multiple grade levels. These results reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to strengthen math education, empower classroom teachers and address learning gaps head-on.

Math Results at a Glance:

PVNC Catholic students have demonstrated growth in mathematics proficiency:

• Grade 3 Math: Scores increased by 6.3%, with 56.7% of students now meeting or exceeding the provincial standard—outpacing the provincial year-over-year increase of 1.6%.

• Grade 6 Math: A 7.3% improvement was recorded, raising the success rate to 44.3%. This progress reflects strategic efforts, as the provincial increase in the same period was less than 1%.

• Grade 9 Math: PVNC Catholic students saw steady improvement with a 1.4% increase from last year and a total gain of 3.7% since 2021-2022, with 53.6% of students achieving at or above the provincial standard, nearly matching the provincial rate of 53.9%.

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“We are proud of the strides our students and educators have made in math this year,” said Jeannie Armstrong, Superintendent of Learning/Math Lead/School Effectiveness. “These results reflect the hard work, dedication, and innovative teaching strategies that our staff have implemented to close learning gaps and boost student confidence in math. Our continued investment in numeracy initiatives is paying off, and we will build on this momentum going forward.”

Language and Literacy Results:

While math remains a key highlight, the Board also performed well in literacy across several assessments:

• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT): 80.4% of first-time eligible students passed the test, close to last year’s 82.0% and slightly below the provincial rate of 84.5%.

• Grade 3 Reading and Writing: Reading proficiency stands at 69%, slightly below the provincial average of 71.2%. Writing scores came in at 58.8%, with room for growth compared to the provincial rate of 63.7%.

• Grade 6 Reading and Writing: PVNC Catholic students continue to excel in reading, with 81.9% achieving or exceeding the provincial standard, in line with the provincial average of 82%. Writing results were similarly strong, with 77.9% meeting the standard, close to the provincial rate of 80.4%.

For a full breakdown of the Board’s EQAO results, visit: www.eqao.com/results/

What’s Next? 

This year, the PVNC Catholic Math Achievement Action Plan Team will continue focusing on three key priorities to help students thrive in mathematics:

• Ensuring teachers use proven teaching strategies and assessment practices to boost student success.

• Providing ongoing training to deepen teachers’ knowledge and skills in math instruction.

• Personalizing support to meet the needs of every student through relevant and responsive learning activities.

Math facilitators will continue working closely with the eleven PVNC Catholic schools identified as priorities based on EQAO results, building on progress made last year. Every school will develop its own Math Achievement Action Plan, setting specific goals and strategies to support student learning.

Teachers will also use trusted tools such as MathUp and Knowledgehook to engage students both in the classroom and at home. To make the most of these resources, staff will participate in ongoing professional development throughout the year. Together, these efforts aim to foster a strong foundation in math for all students.