Saskatoon Public Schools must improve assessing early education students: auditor
Saskatchewan’s provincial auditor, Judy Ferguson, says Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) needs to better assess the development of kindergarten students and preparing them for primary grades.
SPS said in a statement it is working to address the issues laid out in the auditor’s report.
“At Saskatoon Public Schools, we understand the importance of early learning programming for preparing students for their future.”
The auditor’s report found that while SPS gives appropriate tools to collect information and provides sufficient guidance on how often to use them, some assessments were missing information such as dates of when they were completed.
Some kindergarten teachers were not aware of expectations on how often to perform assessments.
“Saskatoon Public management noted it expects teachers to assess student numeracy at least twice a year — at the beginning of the school year to provide a baseline, and at least once again throughout the school year to assess student progress — consistent with good practice. However, we found not all kindergarten teachers are aware of this expectation,” the report reads.
The report says three of five teachers tested did not document the date they completed numeracy, literacy, and phonological assessments on kindergarten students.
The provincial auditor also said analysis identified 47 kindergarten students who did not participate in the Early Years Evaluation—Teachers Assessment (EYE-TA), a tool that collects relevant information on student abilities such as social skills, cognitive skills, language and physical development. SPS did not have reasonable explanations for not reassessing 11 of the 47 students, the report says.
The auditor provided several recommendations, including ensuring SPS provides teachers and schools with written expectations about how often kindergarten students are assessed.
The report also recommends the school division confirm whether alternative tools used to assess key areas of students readiness to learn are suitable, provide kindergarten teachers with additional training and guidance on applying key instructional practices used to increase student readiness, and routinely analyze data to identify trends or areas of struggle.
Saskatchewan Teachers Federation President Patrick Maze says while assessments help, the education systems needs to do better when it comes to social barriers that might affect the academic experience for early education students.
He says students who may not be properly nourished, have difficulties with speech or medical issues like difficulty hearing or needing glasses may come to school less prepared.
“If it’s meant to provide data or provide information in order to support funding and support student learning then we’re all for it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.