The Winnipeg School Division (WSD) Board of Trustees has released the second-year results of the WSD K to 12 Framework for Continuous Improvement (Framework) with glowing praise for WSD staff.
"For the second year in a row we are seeing sustained improvements in maths and literacy scores for WSD students," says Chris Broughton, Chair, Board of Trustees, Winnipeg School Division. "In some areas, our students are exceeding the provincial benchmark, despite the challenges many of them face on a daily basis, including trauma, poverty and addictions." Broughton says strong leadership and invested educators is making the difference in WSD. For example, children in care at the Grade 3 level have improved reading in English by 206 percent over the past five years.
In numeracy, Grade 3 student overall divisional achievement has increased by 146 percent over the last ten years. Pass rates in numeracy at the senior level are also dramatically improving. Grade 12 Applied Mathematics increased by 73 percent this past year over 2014 results, while Essential Mathematics increased by 60 percent and Pre-Calculus Math increased by 86 percent.
According to the report, Grade 12 Pre-Calculus teachers have been working in partnership with the University of Manitoba over the past two years to narrow the gap between student achievement in high school and subsequent performance at the post-secondary level. The work has led to clarification of expectations on both parties and work toward ensuring WSD students are equipped with the required skill set prior to graduation.
"As I have said before, we recognize more work is to be done, and WSD staff is addressing that, but we must take the time to recognize and appreciate that within WSD, we have skilled and experienced educators making a difference to student achievement," says Broughton.
Broughton voiced appreciation to all Winnipeg School Division staff, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, for their contributions to the continuous improvement identified in the Framework.
The Framework is a planning and reporting process that provides important data on student achievements and educational outcomes. The Framework's specific requirements, as outlined by the Province of Manitoba, address accountability in planning and reporting, literacy and numeracy as a priority and continuous assessment of progress related to WSD's identified targets and Provincial mandates.
