Chinook's Edge School Division students have scored above the provincial average on recent achievement tests, according to a new report.
The Annual Education Results Report showed that the division has raised its three-year high school completion rate to 77.7 per cent – the division's highest ever – above the provincial average of 74 per cent. The measure tracks students as they move through Grade 10 to 12 and indicates that 77.7 per cent of last year's graduating class did so on time.
“I think it speaks volumes about the contribution of all teachers and school staff across all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through to Grade 12. It truly is a collective effort. It also requires many different supports that you put in place to make sure that students don't fall through the cracks,” said Ray Hoppins, associate superintendent of systems services for the division.
The Innisfail-based Chinook's Edge School Division oversees students in 42 schools in West Central Alberta.
The report also tracks achievement and diploma test results at several different grade levels. Hoppins said the division is particularly proud of the students in Grade 3 and Grade 6 last year who scored above the provincial average on achievement tests, while the number of students who wrote diploma exams last year and who met the acceptable standard was also higher than the provincial average.
As an example, Hoppins said the Physics 30 exam results were the highest the division has seen in the last five years and were equal to the provincial average.
“(Physics 30) was one of the areas that we focused on over the past three years,” he said.
The report also identifies areas the division can improve upon. The division wants to increase the standard of excellence rates at all grade levels and has devised several different strategies for staff to implement in improving those results.
“Collaboration is a huge part of our culture now with teachers collaborating with each other, school leaders collaborating with each other and schools collaborating with parents and students,” he said.
The division's best results, Hoppins said, are the satisfaction results as measured by parents, students and staff.
The report is done on an annual basis so school and division administrators can track results over time.
“It's not the only data we look at. I think it's worth noting that there are so many data pieces that we look at throughout the school year. Teachers have classroom data, student data, and so it's just one piece of a larger picture,” he said.
Both the division's Annual Education Results Report, as well as each individual school's report are available for parents to view. The division's report can be accessed at www.chinooksedge.ab.ca while individual school reports can be accessed at individual school websites.
"I think it speaks volumes about the contribution of all teachers and school staff across all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through to Grade 12."Ray Hoppins, associate superintendent of systems services, CESD
