Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The results of the 2011 student assessment tests released last week showed no significant improvements by the territory's students.

Carla Elizabeth, left, and Angeline Jerome take part in the Books in the Home program at the Inuvik Centennial Library on Feb. 29. The program is one of many at the library that promotes childhood literacy - an area where the NWT is still lagging behind, according to recent student assessment results. - Katherine Hudson/NNSL photo Assessment results from across NWT Students at or above grade level (English) Grade 1 - 77 % Grade 2 - 66 % Grade 3 - 61 % Grade 4 - 65 % Grade 5 - 66 % Grade 6 - 60 % Grade 7 - 63 % Grade 8 - 59 % Grade 9 - 65 % Students at or above grade level (Math) Grade 1 - 82 % Grade 2 - 76 % Grade 3 - 70 % Grade 4 - 68 % Grade 5 - 67 % Grade 6 - 64 % Grade 7 - 68 % Grade 8 - 63 % Grade 9 - 65 % Source: Department of Education

Approximately 65 per cent of students placed at or above their grade level in English, compared to 65 per cent in the previous year; 69 per cent placed at or above grade level in math, compared to 68 per cent in 2010.

The school system's younger students continued to outdo older students, with a general decline in achievement seen from Grade 1 to Grade 9.

Students in Yellowknife and the NWT's regional centres continued to score above their peers in smaller communities, something that Dan Daniels, deputy minister of Education, Culture and Employment, said was a concern for the department.

An average of 46 per cent of students in smaller communities achieved at or above their grade level in English, compared to 76 per cent in regional centres and 74 per cent in Yellowknife. Marks were slightly better in math, with 50 per cent of students in communities achieving at or above their grade level, compared to 83 per cent in regional centres and 80 per cent in Yellowknife.

Many students who enter the school system in communities are unprepared and lack basic communication skills, Daniels said.

"They fall behind fairly early," he said.

To combat this, the department is increasing its focus on early childhood development, communication with families and literacy programs.

Starting in September, literacy coaches were introduced through school boards, and library resources are being expanded.

Attendance rates were down slightly this year, to 84.3 per cent from 86.1 per cent, despite a territory-wide campaign to increase attendance.

"It demonstrates that we need to continue our efforts on our attendance campaigns, encouraging students to stay in school and working closely with families to address whatever challenges people are having with ensuring children are attending school on a regular basis," Daniels said.

The average attendance in Yellowknife, 90.4 per cent, was eight per cent higher than in communities, something Daniels said contributes to the difference in student achievement levels.

Another concern is the gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal students, which wasn't represented in the assessment results but persists across the territory.

"That remains a concern for us," Daniels said.

Teachers now take part in cultural orientations at the start of each school year, and on-the-land education continues to be popular with students, but he said parents have a role to play in their children's education.

David Reid, president of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association, agreed.

"Attendance initiatives vary from region to region, but I don't think there's any one

magic bullet," he said.

"It comes down to the families and the parents. They need to get their children up in the morning and they need to get them to school. Unfortunately it relies on the shoulders of the educators again to put these initiatives in place.

"It's really a societal thing."

School authority representatives from across the NWT will meet in Behchoko on April 17 and 18 to discuss the results and what needs to be done moving forward.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.