Each year, Superintendents of Schools throughout the province are expected to prepare and submit the Superintendent's Report on Achievement to the Board. The Board is expected to review and then adopt a final report by January 31, which is then sent to the Minister of Education and posted to our web site. In my report, I identify areas that are improving, areas of concern and some observations regarding practices which are making a difference to students.

The following areas are improving:

1. Performance of vulnerable learners

Through a grant received entitled the Literacy Innovation grant, 18 of our schools engaged in action research to look at changing practices and structures which may enhance the life chances of vulnerable students. In 2008/09, 124 students were targeted through the project in 18 schools, with only 30 still not yet or minimally meeting expectations. In addition, Professional Learning Teams involved in the project reported some gains for a number of other learners through some changed classroom practices.

2. Performance of primary at-risk learners

Using funds targeted at grades 1 and 2 learners targeted as at-risk for literacy by their teachers, schools are responsible for designing programs to enhance the skills of these learners. In 2008-2009, 71 students were identified as at-risk for Grade 1, with only 37 remaining as at risk in June. 53 students were identified as at-risk for Grade 2, with only 26 students remaining as at-risk in June.

3. District Writing Performance

The district has a common assessment process in place for students in grades 1, 3, 6 and 9, using a provincial standard (B.C. Writing Performance Standards). We are pleased with the quality of student writing and see an overall improving trend.

The following are areas of concern:

1. Inaccurate completion data

An analysis of individual data re completers and non-completers provided by the Ministry, our secondary principals and vice-principals continue to find flaws in the reported results. In some schools, over half of the students who are reported as non-completers are often found to have moved away, been in the district as hockey players, etc. We are in the process of reporting these inaccuracies to the Ministry. We have determined that our actual completion rate is approximately 90%..and we continue to discuss ways to enhance that already-strong result.

2. Aboriginal completion data

We are very concerned about our aboriginal data, which shows a completion rate of over 20% the rate for non-aboriginals. The district Aboriginal Council continues to focus on implementation of our Enhancement Agreement and ways to enhance results for aboriginal students.

3. Perceived decline in FSA results

We have communicated our concerns re the impact of our lower than average participation rate in the FSA, which is impacting our district statistics. We continue to advocate for dialogue regarding the FSA and have prepared a Fact Sheet for use with our teachers and communities.

You are encouraged to access the full 2009 Superintendent's Report on Achievement Report. I am very proud of the impact of some of our initiatives and commend our staff for their commitment to implementing and analyzing the impact of new classroom practices.