Media Release from the Society for Quality Education

We hate to say, “We told you so!” BUT… this year’s poor EQAO test results give us no other option

Toronto , Ont. – September 20, 2007

The Society for Quality Education (SQE) is not surprised that Ontario students did not come close to meeting the 75% target set out by the province. With only 64% of the province’s grade 6 students passing their reading test, an average class of 25 students would yield only 16 students who can read well enough for the work of the next grade. The results are even worse in writing, with only 61% of students passing, and math, with only 59% of students passing – down 2% from last year.

“Generous increases to the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on various initiatives haven’t translated into improvement,” said Doretta Wilson, executive director. “Test results have flat-lined compared to last year and, in some cases, the results are actually worse.”

Improving results still comes down to “what you teach and how you teach it,” Mrs. Wilson added. Parents should have the ability to choose schools that use the very best teaching practices and provide safe environments for their children. Without the incentive that competition brings to make those improvements, there is little chance that schools will improve their service.

The Society for Quality Education is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting school choice in order to improve student learning in Canada . We invite the public to visit our web-site at www.societyforqualityeducation.org to learn more about what school choice is and the wonderful schools it makes possible.

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