Elizabeth Witmer, MPP for Kitchener-Waterloo

McGuinty’s Guarantee On Student Test Scores Is Not Credible

September 17th, 2009

(Toronto) Dalton McGuinty has had six years to keep his promise that 75% of students either meet or exceed provincial standards on province-wide tests. This goal was a solemn promise McGuinty made during the 2003 election. In fact, McGuinty “GUARANTEED” that he would achieve this goal by 2007. Six years later, Dalton McGuinty still has not lived up to his word.

Today, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released its 2008-2009 provincial report on student achievement. Although, students are showing improvement in standardized tests, the report shows that many students are failing to achieve 70%. Moreover, a large number of these students who didn’t make the provincial standard in Grade 3 failed to catch up by Grade 6.

Progressive Conservative Education Critic, Elizabeth Witmer, urges the McGuinty government to renew its efforts to ensure that our students achieve success and get the support needed to succeed.

“I applaud the efforts of all students and teachers who have participated in the EQAO’s testing, and acknowledge that our students are showing improvement. However, today’s school-board by school-board data shows that Dalton McGuinty has more work to do to ensure that our students have the basic literacy and numeracy skills to succeed in a 21st century economy. This should include targeted learning support and early intervention strategies.”

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For more information contact:

Elizabeth Witmer, MPP

(416) 325-1306