Ontario Education Minister Sparks Outcry by Withholding EQAO Test Scores
Ontario’s Education Minister, Paul Calandra, is facing criticism for withholding standardized test results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). These results typically become public in September or early October. Calandra claims he is delaying their release to conduct a thorough analysis of the data.
Controversy Over EQAO Test Scores
The EQAO administers tests to students in Grades 3 and 6, focusing on reading, writing, and math. Grade 9 students are tested in math, and Grade 10 students take a literacy test. Critics argue that the government is lacking transparency by not making the results public.
Calandra’s Explanation
Calandra stated, “I obviously have the results, but I want to make sure that I act on what I’m seeing.” He is examining what the scores mean for students and school boards. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted student performance, leading to fluctuations in scores.
Recent Test Results
The latest available scores show a decline in reading and writing proficiency among Grades 3 and 6 compared to previous years. Conversely, Grade 6 and 9 math scores showed a slight improvement, with about half of the students meeting the provincial standard.
- Reading and Writing: Fewer students in Grades 3 and 6 meeting the provincial standard.
- Math Scores: Slight improvement, but still low overall. Only about 50% of students in Grades 6 and 9 met the standard.
Reactions from Educators and Politicians
Kelley Gallagher-Mackay, an education policy researcher, criticized the delay, asserting that EQAO was intended to function independently from political influence. Other educators highlighted the importance of timely data in making informed decisions.
David Mastin from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario questioned why Calandra is able to delay the results. He suggested that this could be a tactic to push for educational privatization.
Opposition politician Chandra Pasma condemned the lack of transparency, implying that the government preferred to manipulate the data for political gain. Liberal MPP John Fraser also expressed concerns, stating the delay would not aid students and described the situation as politically motivated.
Government’s Legislative Actions
Recently, Premier Doug Ford’s government passed Bill 33, granting more authority to the province over school governance. This measure has sparked further debate regarding the province’s commitment to educational transparency and effectiveness.
Conclusion
The debate over the withholding of EQAO test results raises significant questions about transparency in Ontario’s education system. As the government claims to pursue improvements, educators and critics urge for the immediate release of test scores to better inform schools and parents.
