Education Quality and Accountability Office
The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is an arm’s-length Crown agency of the Government of Ontario, Canada, legislated into creation [1] in 1996 in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Learning in February 1995.[2]
EQAO is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The chair of the board is currently Brian L. Desbiens.[3] EQAO has an annual budget of approximately $33 million CDN.
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[edit] Mandate
EQAO’s mandate is to conduct province-wide tests at key points in every student’s primary, junior and secondary education and report the results to educators, parents and the public.
The specific responsibilities of the Office include:
- developing tests for students in both the French- and English-language publicly funded school systems,
- overseeing the administration and marking of tests, in co-operation with school boards,
- evaluating the quality and effectiveness of Ontario’s education system,
- managing Ontario's participation in national and international tests,
- researching and collecting information on assessing academic achievement,
- reporting to the public and to the Minister of Education and Training on the results of tests and generally on the quality and effectiveness of elementary and secondary school education and on the public accountability of boards,
- making recommendations to the Government of Ontario on any matter related to the quality or effectiveness of elementary and secondary school education or to the public accountability of boards.
EQAO conducts province-wide tests annually. Students attending publicly funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario are required to take the respective tests at their grade level:
- Grade 3 (literacy and math tested at the end of the primary division);
- Grade 6 (literacy and math tested at the end of the junior division);
- Grade 9 (math tested in the first year of secondary school) and
- Grade 10 (literacy tested as a graduation requirement, known as the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test).
The question on EQAO’s tests are developed by Ontario educators and linked directly to the learning expectations in The Ontario Curriculum.[4]
For students with special education needs, some accommodations that are consistent with regular classroom assessment practices are permitted on the provincial tests. Special provisions may also be permitted for English language learners.
[edit] Use of test results
Educators use the results of Ontario’s province-wide tests in combination with other important information, such as report cards and demographic information, to help improve student learning and achievement. According to a 2010 survey by EQAO, more than 95% of elementary school principals[5] and 80% of Grades 3 and 6 teachers [6] use EQAO test results to identify areas of strength and areas for improvement in reading, writing and math programs. More than 95% of principals also reported that they use the data to guide overall school improvement initiatives.
Ontario students have made significant progress over the years in meeting the provincial standard in reading, writing and mathematics. For example, in 2010, more than 28 000 additional Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in reading and writing than in 2000, and more than 12 000 additional Grade 6 students met the provincial standard in math than in 2000.[7]
[edit] Criticisms
The establishment of the EQAO, and in particular standardized testing in Ontario, has been criticized by a number of groups, including the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) [8] and the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO). [9]
While technical reports [10] are available on the agency’s Web site, some have criticized that the Office publishes little technical information about its tests. Some have also criticized that EQAO’s staff tends to be drawn from the provincial education establishment. For example, former chair Charles Pascal, is a former deputy minister of education. The Office's impartiality has been questioned when it has issued test results that might be taken as reflecting well on the provincial government.
[edit] References
- ^ Government of Ontario elaws, Education Quality and Accountability Office Act, 1996 Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Ministry of Education news release, Royal Commission on Learning provides a blueprint for changing Ontario schools Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ “Board of Directors.” About EQAO. Education Quality and Accountability Office. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Framework: Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1–3). Education Quality and Accountability Office. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
- ^ Principal Questionnaire Results, 2009-10. Education Quality and Accountability Office. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Primary Division Teacher Questionnaire Results. Education Quality and Accountability Office. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ The Power of Good Information. Education Quality and Accountability Office. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Critical Issues Series. Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ Says Teachers Assess Students Better Than EQAO Tests.aspx ETFO Says Teachers Assess Students Better Than EQAO Tests. Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ^ EQAO Technical Reports. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
