Media Releases

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

DISTRICT STUDENTS MAKE GAINS IN ACHIEVEMENT

At a media conference this morning, Mr. Edgar Schmidt, Superintendent of Schools, announced the District's student achievement results for the 2006-2007 school year.

"We are encouraged and inspired by our results, which reflect both the hard work of our students, and our District's ongoing commitment to support and guide their efforts to succeed," says Superintendent Schmidt. "These results have reaffirmed our resolve to continue working in partnership with dedicated staff, parents and community members to improve student achievement results and high school completion rates."

The District continues to see increases in the percentage of students completing high school. Since the province began reporting five-year high school completion rates in 1999-2000, the District has seen an 8.5 per cent increase in the percentage of students completing high school, rising to 72.7 per cent from 64.2 per cent.

Part of the District's work to improve its high school completion rate is to support students in successfully completing their high school courses. Since 2002-2003, the District has seen an increase in successful course completion for 11 of 12 core subject areas. Core subjects are: English, social studies, math and science.

For eight of the 10 Grade 12 Diploma Exams, more District students achieved the standard of excellence than was true for the province in 2007. This outcome is a long standing trend for Edmonton Public Schools.

For 11 of the 12 Provincial Achievement Tests, more District students achieved the standard of excellence in 2007 than in 2006 as compared to the province.

"At Edmonton Public Schools, we have an unflinching responsibility to find the strategies and solutions that will help move our students toward their best, brightest future."

Complete achievement result reports were distributed during the media conference.

For more information:
Cory Sinclair, Supervisor
Communications
(780) 429-8289