News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The 2015-16 provincial assessment results are now available.

“We understand that education matters to New Brunswickers,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny. “While we are seeing success in some areas, we know that some of these results are not what they should be. We need to improve our outcomes so that our young people are in the best possible position to be successful in life.”

Provincial assessments are done yearly for reading, writing, math, French and science.  Results are provided to parents, schools and school districts. Teachers, administrators and school district staff use these results to target improvements and interventions in these subject areas.

The 2015-16 results include:

• 73.8 per cent of Grade 2 anglophone students were successful on the provincial reading assessment (target is 90 per cent);

• 80.4 per cent of Grade 9 anglophone students were successful on the provincial reading assessment (target is 85 per cent);

• 54.1 per cent of Grade 6 anglophone students were successful on the provincial reading assessment (target is 85 per cent);

• 81 per cent of Grade 3 francophone students were successful on the provincial math assessment (target is 85 per cent);

• 79 per cent of Grade 2 francophone students were successful on the provincial oral reading assessment (target is 85 per cent); and

• 77 per cent of Grade 2 francophone students were successful on the provincial silent reading assessment (target is 85 per cent).

“Now is the time to work together to improve the performance of our students and of the education system,” said Kenny. “Our 10-year education plans provide a mechanism to work with our partners in the education system to make positive changes. Through our education plans we are making record investments, hiring teachers and measuring our results so that we can get better.”

The education plans include priority areas such establishing a culture of belonging; improving literacy and math skills; ensuring proficiency in fundamental French language; and fostering leadership, citizenship and entrepreneurial spirit. The primary areas of focus for the first year are literacy, numeracy, career and life readiness and early childhood development.

A performance management process will be used to establish objectives and track progress. Before the beginning of each school year, the department will work with school districts and key early childhood partners to develop an implementation plan for each sector, which will outline objectives for the year and how goals will be met. In turn, progress will be measured and accountability reports will be completed.

In the anglophone sector, the department also undertakes a Report on Student Outcomes and School Climate. This survey looks at how engaged students are in each grade.

All results are available online.