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FSA a Valuable Tool for Student Achievement

June 30, 2009

VICTORIA – The results of the 2009 Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) show that close to two-thirds of all B.C. students in grades 4 and 7 are meeting or exceeding achievement levels in reading, writing and numeracy, Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid announced today.

All students are required to participate in the FSA. The total number of eligible students is reflected in the performance results, including those who did not take the assessment.

“By looking at the performance levels of students who did participate in this assessment, I am encouraged to see that approximately 80 per cent of those students are meeting or exceeding expectations,” said MacDiarmid. “Our superintendents of achievement will be meeting with school districts starting in September to ensure the districts have learning plans in place for all students, including those with no FSA results.”

Provincial results show that between 66 and 69 per cent of Grade 4 students are meeting or exceeding expectations, while between 63 and 67 per cent of Grade 7 students are meeting or exceeding expectations. Approximately 16 per cent of both grades have performance levels unknown due to lack of participation. Of those who wrote, scores were slightly higher in reading and numeracy compared to the 2008 baseline.

“It is important to remember that these results include every student in our province, a change brought in last year that was supported by the B.C. representative for children and youth,” said MacDiarmid “The FSA determines how well students are meeting core provincial learning outcomes so parents and teachers can work together to develop strategies for students that require extra support.”

Work is being done with school districts to track student completion back to their FSA results. Students on average who meet or exceed expectations in Grades 4 reading have an 80 per cent chance of school completion, and that number jumps to 94 per cent for Grade 7 students who meet or exceed expectations in reading on the FSA.

FSA 2009 results show that 87 per cent of B.C. schools are at or above the international standard for Grade 4 reading set by the Progress in Reading Literacy (PIRLS) assessment, an increase of four per cent over 2008.

Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $154 million in new literacy initiatives, including pre-literacy and early learning programs such as StrongStart BC early learning centres, almost $15 million to operate the kindergarten readiness program Ready, Set, Learn and $2.7 million for the ActNow Literacy Education Activity and Play (LEAP BC) program that encourages literacy, physical activity and healthy eating in preschool-aged children.

FSA 2009 results are available on the Ministry of Education website at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/achieve/fsa-bas.php.
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
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