B.C. Students Slipping With Poor Test Scores

The percentage of B.C. students meeting or exceeding expectations in writing, reading and numeracy is lower than last year, according to test results released Friday, but the education minister says changes to the testing process mean the results can't be compared directly to those from previous years.

"I think the data still provides us with some clear indications of where we need to focus some attention," said Shirley Bond. "But it is more difficult to compare."

The Foundation Skills Assessment, which measures student achievement at two grade levels, found between 70 and 74 per cent of Grade 4 students were meeting or exceeding expectations in 2008. For Grade 7 students, the numbers are between 69 and 71 per cent.

Last year, the numbers were higher. Grade 4 students were between 77 and 90 per cent, and Grade 7 students between 72 and 86 per cent.

Changes to the process included administering the tests mid-year to give teachers and parents an earlier indication of achievement. Students' written responses were also sent home to parents and reading and numeracy tests were given on computers.

Earlier testing means teachers can implement changes in time for the next school year, Bond said.

The number of Grade 4 students from the Vancouver school district meeting or exceeding expectations in writing fell from 94 per cent to 65.

Vancouver school board chair Clarence Hansen said Sunday he hadn't seen the results yet but considered them a one-day snapshot of what students can or can't do.

"There are certainly more comprehensive tests but I think we'd be foolish not to acknowledge [the results]," he said. "But I wouldn't place too much weight on them either."

The tests and their results just aren't useful, said Irene Lanzinger, president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation.

The BCTF has fought hard against the tests, claiming they waste time in the classroom and produce results used primarily to rank schools.

The Fraser Institute uses the results to rank B.C. schools in a widely read and often criticized annual report.

"It's just so dependent on socio-economic and other factors," Lanzinger said.

About two per cent more students took the test this year.

For the first time, the FSA included the number of students who didn't take the tests in the pool of results and classified their performance levels as "unknown."

By analysing the comprehensive results, districts and individual schools will be able to recognize areas where they've improved, Bond said, and where students need help.

Richmond school board chair Linda McPhail said her district prepared for months for the changes to the tests.

She acknowledged the results aren't directly comparable to last year's but said they still yield a variety of positive outcomes.

"We saw the change as a positive one," McPhail said. "We get the results earlier and a snapshot of where their child is at that point in the year. The parents can bring in their copy of [the test] to discuss the results with teachers."

ACross@png.canwest.com