INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools' (RDCRS) annual education results report for 2022-23 highlights ongoing success in the division, including increased three-year and five-year high school completion levels, as well as efforts underway to improve results in some subject areas.
The report was prepared under the direction of the board as required by provincial legislation.
The 10,600-student RDCRS has 21 schools, including in Olds and Innisfail.
The division’s assurance survey looked at student growth and achievement, teaching, learning supports, and governance.
“Overall the division is pleased with the results outlined in the Annual Education Results Report,” superintendent Kathleen Finnigan told the Albertan. “In all, 92.8 per cent of parents, students, and staff were satisfied with the quality of education in our school communities. This result is significantly higher than the provincial average.”
A total of 86.6 per cent of RDCRS students graduated in three years, an increase from 84.8 per cent last year and the current provincial average of 80.7.
A total of 91.3 per cent of RDCRS students graduated in five years compared with 89.6 per cent last year and the current provincial average of 88.6 per cent.
Under student growth and achievement, results included that student learning engagement was at 88.1 per cent, compared with the provincial average of 84.4 per cent; and citizenship was 87.9 per cent compared with 80.3 provincially.
The report identified a number of targeted key actions for continued improvement, including “enhancing professional learning by evaluating and aligning current professional development practices and seek stakeholder input in a redefined professional development framework.”
It also called on the division to “revise the school improvement plan template and process to create efficiencies in planning, setting targets, and ensuring execution of improvement planning.”
Regarding career pathways, the division’s high schools saw a 24 per cent increase in successful community experiential learning opportunities credits, and a 27 per cent increase in registered apprenticeship placement credit.
One hundred per cent of students who enrolled in any form of dual credit successfully graduated from high school.
“Ninety-seven per cent of parents would recommend RDCRS as a great place for students to attend with 95 per cent of parents feeling they have the opportunity to be heard if they have a question or concern,” said Finnigan.
“We recognize these strong results from the 2022-2023 school year are the result of our staff’s significant efforts and we sincerely thank everyone for their tireless efforts on behalf of our students and their families.”
Trustees accepted the report as information. The complete report is available for viewing on the division’s website.
