EQAO+Summary

EQAO Website Summary

The EQAO website provides a comprehensive array of test results for the province, school boards, and individual schools. This information is useful for teachers, because they can identify areas of weakness, or relative areas of weakness, and work to improve those areas. A teacher can also compare their results with other schools in the board. This should only be done while considering the impact of the social, economic, and cultural contexts on a school's results. The website provides statistics on ESL learners and students identified as exceptional, which certainly helps to establish the context.

For the junior learner, the website also publishes the results of student's attitudes about reading, writing, and mathematics. As a teacher or an administrator, I would find this information very interesting. It would be useful to note if the children's attitudes are evident in test results.

There is no EQAO testing information given on my school board's website. My children attend a school governed by a different school board and there is no information on that board's site either. The school sent home information to inform us when the testing was to take place. However, no information was given to help us prepare the children for the tests. I do not tend to get worked up about my children's tests because they are naturally brilliant in my completely unbiased opinion;) . However, testing can cause parents and students a lot of worry so more information would be helpful.

I would publish the EQAO web address in my communication with parents. I would encourage them to read **//A Parent’s Guide to EQAO Tests.//** This should answer most of the parent's questions. If not I would contact them directly to address any remaining concerns or questions.

If I were an administrator and it was apparent that there was a lot of concern and questions by parents about EQAO testing I would organize an information booth to be set up during parent teacher interviews or meet the teacher. While parents are waiting to see their child's teacher, or after the interview, they can visit the booth and take copies of the parent's guide. If possible the booth could be attended by a junior teacher who would be able to answer questions. It could be set up in the library or in the computer lab so parents could also peruse the website.