EQAO Parent Information Evening

February 16th 2010

Welcome and Introductions Mrs. Nardi-Addesa  Overview of EQAO Mrs. Bowker  The Process Mme Cheung  Math (Numeracy) Questions Ms. Miles

Literacy Questions Mrs. Caulfield & Ms. Pillon  Multiple Choice Questions Mlle Chow + Mlle Lebelle

Parent Handbook Mme Cheung  Questions & Answers Mme Cheung + Ms. Miles

EQAO = "Education Quality and Accountability Office"  Assessment administered during months of May/June in

grades 3, 6, and 9  Primary Division assessment consists of 6 days of

activities in Reading, Writing and Mathematics  A snapshot based upon student achievement during the

6 days

Provides additional information for teachers, in addition to classroom assessments, daily observations, etc.

Gives valuable information about strengths and weaknesses in student learning

  Results do not count toward student's regular grades

  Individual results are kept confidential; school results

are reported to public

Student results are provided in the fall

All students will do the assessment in English

Each day has about 2 hours of activities planned  All teachers are required to follow the instructions provided in

the teacher manual; individual instruction for students is not permitted

  Accommodations can be made for some students (such as extra

time, scribing, repeating instructions, assistive technology).

All students are expected (by EQAO) to participate

School uses the results to develop an action plan for improved student learning, and to focus professional development of teachers

Results are not used to rank the school versus other schools

Results are not used to evaluate teaching staff

Dorset has achieved at or above board and provincial averages 

Emphasis needs to be kept on the "big picture" – that we want students to achieve to their best capability through the whole school year – not just during EQAO

  Students should not feel pressured to "perform" during the

EQAO days – they should feel supported that they are prepared and capable of achieving their best

Just like any other school day, students should be sure to have had sufficient rest each night before school, and to have had a healthy breakfast before school

We will now provide you with a closer look at samples from the assessment in reading, writing and mathematics.

We will now provide you with a closer look at the process, samples from the assessment in reading, writing and

mathematics.

The Process Math (Numeracy) Questions Literacy Questions Multiple Choices Questions

Mme Cheung

Ms. Miles

Problem-Solving Strategies Guess and check Look for a pattern Draw a picture Choose an operation Make a table or a graph Brainstorm.

Problem-Solving Strategies Understand the problem Make a plan Carry out the plan Look back Communicate.

Mrs. Caulfield and Ms. Pillon

Reread the question Reread parts of the reading passage if you need to Write as clearly as you can Include as much information as you can

When you are asked to explain your thinking When you are asked how you have solved a problem

Move on if you don't know the answer. You can come back to the question later

Identify (circle, highlight or underline) key words.

Mlle Chow and Mlle Lebelle

You must use a pencil Try to answer every question, even if you're

not sure of the answer Choose the best answer for question Use any extra time to check your answer

choices Fill in only one bubble for each question.

Mme Cheung

Mme Cheung and Ms. Miles

Be sure to pick up your copy of the

Dorset Drive EQAO Parent Handbook before you leave.

 

EQAO and Ministry of Education websites for more information and sample activities:

www.eqao.com http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum