News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--NATIONAL SCIENCE TEST RESULTS RELEASED ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nova Scotia students do as well or better than students across Canada in science, according to a report on national test results released in Toronto today. The report, part of the School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP), initiated by the Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC), also showed girls generally performed as well as boys in science. Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison gave credit to students and teachers for these encouraging results. "By bringing a hands-on approach to science and by promoting teamwork, students - both boys and girls - are enjoying science more and becoming more confident in their abilities," said Mr. Harrison. "I want to congratulate both students and teachers on these positive results, which will be used to continue to build on this progress." In the spring of 1996 a random sample of 13 and 16-year-olds from across Canada participated in either a written or a practical science test. Results are reported across five levels of achievement, with Level 5 being the highest. In Nova Scotia, for the first time, results are reported separately for students who wrote in French and English. At age 16, most students are expected to achieve at Level 3 or above. In the practical test, which deals with science inquiry and problem-solving skills, 67.2 per cent of Nova Scotia students who wrote in English achieved at Level 3 or above, compared to the Canadian average at 64.6 per cent. In the written, which deals with knowledge of science concepts, 68.5 per cent of Nova Scotia students achieved at Level 3 or above, compared to 69 per cent nationally. These differences are not considered statistically significant. Nova Scotia 16-year-olds who wrote in French led the rest of the country in the written test, with 80.3 per cent at Level 3 or above. In the practical component, 57.1 per cent achieved at this level. At age 13, most students are expected to achieve at Level 2 or above. In the practical component, anglophone students were right at the Canadian average at 92.8 per cent. In the written, 73.3 per cent were at the expected level, compared to 71.9 per cent nationally, no statistically significant difference. Of the 13-year-olds who wrote in French, 95 per cent performed at level 2 or above in the practical, while 73.7 performed at that level in the written. The national report points out that while most Canadian students are performing at expected levels, more students should be achieving at the highest levels. "As a province, we want to give our students every opportunity to excel," said Mr. Harrison. "This means providing adequate resources, continuing to involve teachers in developing the best science program possible, supporting our teachers through professional development, and challenging our students to reach their full potential." Mr. Harrison highlighted some of the work being done to strengthen the Nova Scotia science program. Curriculum is being revised at all grade levels, with the assistance of classroom teachers and supported by professional development. Science is also receiving greater emphasis at the elementary level. As well, students entering Grade 10 this September will be required to take additional science credits for graduation, which will give students the opportunity to learn more science and achieve at higher levels. As part of the testing, students also completed an extensive questionnaire concerning their school science experience, attitudes and practices. About 90 per cent of students felt that "lots of hard work" was the key requirement for success in science. About three out of four students reported they liked science. The most important contributor to interest in science was science experiments, followed by class teamwork. The most common science activity reported outside the classroom is watching science programs on television. The first phase of SAIP, which includes mathematics, reading and writing, and science, is now complete. The second mathematics test will be administered this spring, the next reading and writing test is scheduled for 1998, and science will be repeated in 1999. -30- Contact: Donna MacDonald 902-424-2615 trp Jan. 29, 1997 - 1:19 p.m.