Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 25/02) - Despite objections from some board trustees, Yellowknife Catholic Schools will commence with Alberta Achievement Tests this June.

The decision came about in a 3-1 vote by the board during a regular public meeting held Wednesday night.

Alberta Achievement Tests are carried out every year across the province and Yellowknife Education District No.1 for Grades 3, 6, and 9. Students are tested for their comprehensive knowledge in language arts and math.

This year only students in Grades 3 and 6 will write the test. Grade 9 students will be exempt because the exam date, June 26, falls past the last day of class for high school students.

In Wednesday's motion, trustees Raymond St. Armand, Mary Vane, and Nancy Gardiner voted to go ahead with the testing program. Vice-chair Jane Haley and chair Larry Purcka -- who did not vote - were opposed. Trustee Deb Ross, though not in attendance, did send an e-mail message to the board, stating that if she were present she would have voted against the motion as well.

Trustees voting in favour of the motion said, however, that despite the short time available for staff and students to prepare for the test, they wanted to see where their schools stood compared to other jurisdictions.

"I feel very strongly it's something we should go ahead with," said Gardiner. "We have to be accountable as a district."

Last year, aside from French immersion students, Yellowknife No.1 performed below most other Alberta jurisdictions.

After the meeting, Purcka denied that the board and administration were worried their own students might not perform so well on upcoming tests.

He said he was all in favour of the program, but felt more time was needed for staff and students to prepare.

"We have to make sure our students are prepared to write that, and (that) teachers are prepared to give it," said Purcka.