Christ the King Catholic Secondary School, Georgetown

Halton Catholic District School Board

“There are a lot of detractors of standardized testing. I believe that it ensures accountability in the delivery of deep and engaged literacy and numeracy instructional, assessment and evaluation practices.”

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Crestwood Secondary School, Peterborough

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board

“I’m a big believer in data. It can be very helpful, especially when looking at data over time. Unless you’re talking about data, you’re just talking. It’s a great direction setter.”

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Discovery Public School, Maple

York Region District School Board

“If students need accommodations to assist them in their learning, we ensure these accommodations are available every day in their regular classrooms as well as for the EQAO assessment...We are very proactive in addressing the needs of our students.”

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Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute, Scarborough

Toronto District School Board

“There is a high level of parent engagement in this community. They are certainly instilling in their children a respect for education and placing a high value on doing well.”

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Elliot Lake Secondary School, Elliot Lake

Algoma District School Board

“We have no difficulties with students that require extra time and support to complete the OSSLT successfully. We will move heaven and earth to get the students what they need to be successful and the board is very supportive.”

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Erin District High School, Erin

Upper Grand District School Board

“Specifically looking at gender data including EQAO gender data, we really want to target our assessment strategies and our instructional pieces. We have been looking at things to do to ensure that our boys will achieve at high levels.”

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Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School, Peterborough

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board

“Our EQAO data really confirms and reaffirms what we know and see. EQAO gives up good data. We’ve taken that data and brought it to life to boil down to students, to make it real, not an afterthought and not an event. It’s embedded in what we do.”

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Holy Rosary Elementary School, Waterloo

Waterloo Catholic District School Board

“We value data and how it drives what we’re doing... It also allows us to see our improvement on an ongoing basis. With the strong [connection] to the curriculum, it allows us to plan and continually move forward.”

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Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School, Scarborough

Toronto Catholic District School Board

“They bring everyone together with a common focus. That focus is not about teaching to the test: it is about teaching the skills. The EQAO assessments reflect skills that these students will need to be effective lifelong learners.”

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Lackner Woods Public School, Kitchener

Waterloo Region District School Board

“Our dedicated teachers have embraced the whole child, not only student achievement. We are passionate about sharing the journey of raising the children and creating the community that all will desire to come to and be a part of.”

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Larchwood Public School, Dowling

Rainbow District School Board

“EQAO helps us to find our focus. In-depth analysis helps us to establish both our goals and clear criteria for student learning.”

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Mariposa Elementary School, Oakwood

Trillium Lakelands District School Board

“To make data effective, it needs to be about the teacher and the students... The data needs to be relevant and meaningful. It needs to make sense to the teachers and that’s when the changes take place.”

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Merivale High School, Nepean

Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

“The EQAO assessment is set up on those critical fundamental skills. This process is ongoing, embedded in what we do. What we say are priorities and what EQAO says are priorities are not that different.”

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Merrickville Public School, Merrickville

Upper Canada District School Board

“Any meaningful data that helps us support student learning is what we want to pay attention to. It allows us to see what trends we’re on and where we’re heading. That data can be used in a multitude of ways, but keeping it simple is key.”

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Sir Allan MacNab High School, Hamilton

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

“There are lots of amazing and interesting programs led by teachers and staff. The programs, however, are only as good as the people leading them and our teachers are the best.”

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Sir Winston Churchill C.V.I., Thunder Bay

Lakehead District School Board

“When we examine the data and observe how students are doing, it changes our instruction. Our teachers are not afraid of the data. They welcome making changes based on the data. EQAO is an important instrument for us.”

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St. Barbara Catholic Elementary School, Mississauga

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

“Data is just data. It is what you do with the data that counts. We look at it and realize that it is not an end but a sign of hope. We look at data deeply and through the expertise of the teachers and all the partners in the school community who use it to make a difference.”

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St. Basil Secondary School, White River

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board

“I have teachers who are passionate about their subjects and about students doing well. They are not afraid to put in the hard work. If they come to me with ideas, it’s my job as their principal to make their ideas happen… I don‘t just have one teacher champion, I have several. I am very fortunate.”

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St. Clement Catholic School, Woodbridge

York Catholic District School Board

“The purpose of assessment is to say something, not so much about where students are as about where they can go. I know our teachers do an excellent job because our students are always moving forward, not just academically but as individuals. That is the assessment that really counts.”

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St. Edward Catholic School, Nipigon

Superior North Catholic District School Board

“The data we collect and use corroborate the work we have done in determining and delivering effective teaching and learning strategies. Everyone believes that all students can be successful and is committed to providing opportunities that allow students to be the best they can be.”

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St. John Vianney Catholic School, Barrie

Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board

“Our staff is committed to the success of each student. This is evidenced by their willingness to work together using the data available to narrow their focus and develop common anchor charts, assessments and teaching strategies and language throughout all grades.”

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St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Kitchener

Waterloo Catholic District School Board

“Teachers are committed to collaboration to create and implement strategies that enhance the learning opportunities for all students...I trust their ability as a team to assist in creating our school improvement plan and to celebrate our successes as we see the improvement of our students.”

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St. Joseph School, Porcupine

Northeastern Catholic District School Board

“It’s not just the Grade 3 and Grade 6 teachers who are aware of EQAO. All of the children belong to all of the teachers and, accordingly, [teachers of all grade levels] must have a familiarity with the assessments.”

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St. Leonard Catholic School, Manotick

Ottawa Catholic District School Board

“Data should drive instruction. Data should drive assessment. If you narrow it down to two key things, you have one key for students and one for teachers: success for staff, success for students.”

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St. Mary Catholic Secondary School, Hamilton

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board

“There is a real culture of support and co-operation [among] staff and parents. Staff will make the appropriate calls and go the extra mile on behalf of the students. This proactive approach allows us to consider parents powerful allies as we work in the best interest of their children.”

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St. Michael Catholic High School, Kemptville

Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario

“Data can provide us with constant feedback in our continuous school improvement process. School improvement plans must be focused, achievable and alive by using relevant data and engaging staff in the process.”

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St. Patrick High School, Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board

“Using our EQAO and classroom data to determine areas needing improvement has resulted in improved professional practice among the staff. Ongoing collaboration among staff to improve student achievement has made literacy a whole-school focus.”

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Sturgeon Creek School, Emo

Rainy River District School Board

“Using the available data to monitor each student’s progress and plan for their continued success is like the rubber meeting the road. We have the data but we need to use it effectively to ensure the continued success of our students.”

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