Students perform well in public exams

Today, Education Minister John Ottenheimer released high school results for the 2003-04 academic year.

"I am pleased to inform students and their parents that performance has improved over the last year," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Results obtained in 2004 are better than those in 2003, with higher average marks in most courses. The overall pass rate for all high school courses is 90 per cent and for public examination courses, 88 per cent of the students received passing grades."

Course results are based on a shared evaluation, whereby final marks are a 50-50 blend of the school mark for the year and the mark in the public examination. The minister noted that this particular form of evaluation recognizes that there is more to education than what can be measured by a formal examination. Classroom teachers have a comprehensive picture of student achievement based on such things as laboratory skills, writing assignments and public speaking � areas that cannot be easily assessed by public examinations.

"The good news is that this year the difference between school marks and public exam marks is smaller compared to other years. Intensive professional development in the area of assessment has helped clarify the standards and expectations for these courses, and this is having a positive impact on teaching practice," said the minister. "I would like to commend teachers and school administrators, who have worked diligently to help students improve their achievement levels."

Meanwhile the minister noted positive administrative changes for this academic year. Firstly, official transcripts will be mailed to students today, which is several days earlier than in previous years. Secondly, this year the timing for supplementary exams will allow students a second chance to achieve graduation status in time for fall entry into post-secondary institutions. Students who were not successful in passing individual courses have the opportunity to write supplementary exams from August 16-19, 2004, rather than in November, which was the previous practice. This allows students the time necessary to work towards improving their public exam mark, while enabling more students to meet admission requirements for post-secondary institutions for September.

For students who will be writing supplementary exams in August, there are a number of learning opportunities available. Study materials that students can use at their own pace are available for all public exam courses through the Centre For Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) Web site at www.cdli.ca. In addition, previous years� examinations that students can use for practice are available on the Department of Education Web site at www.gov.nl.ca/edu/. Also on the Web site are registration forms and other information on supplementary examinations.

Senior high school students wrote public exams in 10 courses this year: English 3201, Mathematics 3204, Advanced Math 3205, Biology 3201, Chemistry 3202, Physics 3204, Earth Systems 3209, World History 3201, World Geography 3202 and French 3200. There was also a French version of the World History Exam, Histoire mondiale 3231 for French Immersion and French first-language students and Mathematique 3231 and Biologie for French first-language students.

Meetings will be held with principals and program staff at school district offices early in the new school year to review the results and to use the detailed information on subject area performance to improve student achievement.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-0048

BACKGROUNDER

Percentage of Passes and Average Marks
For Shared High School Evaluation Courses
For 2002-03 and 2003-04

* Information provided reflects final results based on shared evaluation, in which final marks are determined based on a 50-50 blend of the school mark for the year and the mark in the public examinations. 

2004 07 19                                         3:10 p.m.