A new learning accountability report from Holy Trinity Catholic School Division shows that certain grade levels achieved scores in math and reading this past fall that align with pre-pandemic results.
The division collected data in these subjects in September to determine where students stood after the summer. It then developed a plan to deploy resources and support throughout the division where they were needed most.
This report was presented during a recent board of education meeting.
“We did identify some learning gaps last year in the fall in reading and mathematics. And that was coming back after four months of remote learning in the fall of 2020, so we did see some learning gaps at that point in time,” explained Mark Selinger, supervisor of learning and technology.
The division bridged those gaps this past fall due to the great work that teachers did in the classroom in the 2020-21 school year, he continued. This means Holy Trinity’s initial assessment data is back in line with percentage levels from pre-pandemic school years.
“… we are happy with where we’re at, and we’re confident that we’ll be able to get to our goals once we reach the end of the school year here in June,” Selinger added.
The reading benchmark this year is for 80 per cent of students in grades 1 to 5 — in English and French streams — to read at or above grade level.
The data from September 2021 versus June 2021 showed that:
- Grade 1: 63.5 per cent / 73 per cent
- Grade 2: 64.8 per cent / 71.5 per cent
- Grade 3: 65.8 per cent / 82.4 per cent
- Grade 4: 70.3 per cent / not assessed
- Grade 5: 66.7 per cent / not assessed
- Grade 1 (French): Not assessed / 75 per cent
- Grade 2 (French): 85.7 per cent / 100 per cent
- Grade 3 (French): 81 per cent / 75 per cent
- Grade 4 (French): 52.9 per cent / 85.7 per cent
- Grade 5 (French): 50 per cent / 63 per cent
Meanwhile, the division office analyzed math scores from fall 2021 and found they were also in line with pre-pandemic scores. However, Selinger noted that there is always room for growth. That is why the division created a new math interventionist position — the person started in January — who will work with elementary students.
“We’re excited about that new position being brought in, just with an opportunity to continue to grow from where we are … ,” he said.
Holy Trinity’s target for students in grades 1 to 8 is that 80 per cent will be at or above grade level by June.
Data from September 2021 versus June 2021 showed that:
- Grade 1: 80.65 per cent / not assessed
- Grade 2: 89.8 per cent / 83.42 per cent
- Grade 3: 78.2 per cent / 78.82 per cent
- Grade 4: 53.33 per cent / 63.16 per cent
- Grade 5: 48 per cent / 73.81 per cent
- Grade 6: 44.15 per cent / 50.56 per cent
- Grade 7: 34.6 per cent / 55.83 per cent
- Grade 8: 36.76 per cent / 46.84 per cent
These math results — especially in the middle years — are not unique to Holy Trinity since other Saskatchewan divisions experience the same thing, said Selinger. That is why the division created the new math interventionist position and plans to implement new provincial math resources and supports.
A third area of celebration is high graduation levels, which reflect the great work done to help youths graduate, said Selinger.
His report showed that by June 2021, 89.6 per cent of students graduated high school within three years of starting Grade 10 — 78.8 per cent provincially — and 96.9 per cent of youths graduated high school within five years of starting Grade 10, versus 85.5 per cent provincially.
The next Holy Trinity board meeting is Monday, Jan. 17.
