Teacher Collaboration Leads to High Secondary Student Achievement
Danny Viotto, Principal St. Mary's College, Cindy Sawyer, Principal St. Basil Secondary, Joanne Mantha-McConnell, Secondary Curriculum Co-ordinator explain reasons behind student achievement successes to HSCDSB Board of Trustees. Submitted photo
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – The Board of Trustees of the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) learned at its meeting on Wednesday about the work of secondary staff that has resulted in positive achievement outcomes for secondary students.
Over the past three years, the Secondary Program Team which is made up of Administration, Principals, teachers, and Program staff have focused efforts on specific strategies to improve student learning.
Working collaboratively, they developed a common language through the many Ministry initiatives and have been intentional in providing job-embedded professional development.
Success data released from the Ministry of Education shows positive gains above the provincial average in pass rates and credit accumulation in fifteen areas. Over the past two years, the Board pass rates for all compulsory courses in grade 9 and 10 have been higher than the Provincial average at both the Applied and Academic levels.
Credit accumulation is also significant because research shows that students who achieve sixteen credits by the age of sixteen are likely to graduate from secondary school. HSCDSB data shows that credit accumulation for grade 10 students has improved from 68% to 86% over the past 5 years which is now 9.5% above the provincial average.
“This is great news for our Board and students. The collaboration between Secondary Principals, Lead Teachers, teachers, and Program staff is achieving results. The intentional focus on precise teaching strategies is ensuring that our students are engaged as partners in their learning,” said Director of Education John Stadnyk.
The work will continue to build teacher capacity through departmental Catholic Professional Learning Community teams. Both secondary schools are aligning their efforts to support student learning in planning for the new St. Mary’s College.
Catholic Education Centre
FUN FACT: Though Editor Karina Hunter spent the majority of her High School years at Manitouwadge High School and completed “secondaire 2” (Grade 10) in Quebec at St. Damiel de Bellechasse, she graduated and received her OSSD from St. Mary’s College in Sault Ste. Marie.
