Red Lake-Madsen Public School has achieved a perfect score of 10 in the Fraser Institute’s assessment of Ontario elementary schools, marking the highest score in Northwestern Ontario. The score is based on results from the provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) tests for Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in reading, writing, and mathematics. This achievement highlights the effectiveness of recent educational strategies implemented by the school.
Educational Strategies Behind Success
According to Christy Radbourne, the education director of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, the outstanding performance stems from “some practice changes” in teaching methods. Radbourne emphasized the board’s commitment to enhancing literacy and numeracy through evidence-based practices. She noted that the focus on the “science of reading” and “science of mathematics” has yielded significant improvements in student outcomes.
Red Lake-Madsen’s achievement reflects not only its own success but also the overall progress of the school board. Another school in the region, New Prospect Public School in Dryden, secured the second position with a score of 7.5. Radbourne expressed her pride in the results, underscoring the dedication of teachers and staff to fostering a strong educational environment.
Innovative Reading Techniques
One of the key strategies employed by the Keewatin-Patricia board is the teaching of “decoding skills” in reading. These techniques include a focus on “morphology,” which involves breaking down words into their component parts to enhance comprehension. Radbourne explained the importance of understanding how elements like “ness” in the word “tiredness” add meaning. This method helps children to grasp the meanings of words more effectively.
Radbourne highlighted that the board’s commitment to using evidence-based practices is critical in ensuring that all students are learning effectively. “We use practices that we know have an effect size on changing student outcomes,” she stated, indicating a systematic approach to education that is grounded in research.
The results at Red Lake-Madsen are a testament to the hard work of educators who have prioritized student learning. As the school continues to build on these successes, it will likely serve as a model for other institutions aiming to improve their educational outcomes. The focus on literacy and numeracy is expected to remain a central element of the school board’s strategy moving forward.
In conclusion, the perfect score achieved by Red Lake-Madsen Public School reflects a broader commitment to educational excellence within the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. With innovative teaching strategies and a focus on evidence-based practices, the school is paving the way for future success in student learning.
