VICTORIA – B.C. students are taking the Foundation Skills Assessment in greater numbers and their results show improvement over last year.

About 84 per cent of the approximately 89,000 students in grades 4 and 7 wrote the FSA in 2011, an increase of one per cent from 2010. Of those students who did write the FSA, more than four out of five met or exceeded expectations in the foundational skills of reading, writing and numeracy.

With limited exceptions, all Grade 4 and Grade 7 students are expected to write the FSA. Using information from the FSA, the Ministry of Education works with school districts to ensure supports for students are in place to improve teaching and learning for the coming school year.

George Abbott, Minister of Education said, “FSA results not only help us identify areas that need improvement, they also allow us to see what’s working so we can share best practices. Districts like Fort Nelson and Cariboo-Chilcotin, for instance, have implemented specific programs that have led to marked improvement in FSA scores over the past few years. Successes like these provide a useful blueprint for districts that may be struggling.”

Quick Facts:

• FSA is an annual assessment of reading, writing and numeracy skills designed and developed by B.C. educators and based on the B.C. curriculum.
• The total number of eligible students, including those who did not take the assessment, is reflected in the overall performance results.
• A greater proportion of students met or exceeded expectations this year for each of the three foundational skills at both grade levels:
  • Grade 4 Reading:        69 per cent (up two per cent over 2010)
  • Grade 4 Writing:         73 per cent (up four per cent over 2010)
  • Grade 4 Numeracy:    67 per cent (up three per cent over 2010)
  • Grade 7 Reading:        66 per cent (up one per cent over 2010)
  • Grade 7 Writing:         72 per cent (up four per cent over 2010)
  • Grade 7 Numeracy:    62 per cent (same as 2010)

• Despite a slight increase in participation this year, approximately 14,000 students – 16 per cent of all eligible students – did not write the FSA in 2011.
• Together with classroom assessment and report card information, FSA provides valuable information to parents on how their child is performing in reading, writing and numeracy.
• There is a strong correlation between a student’s FSA scores and his or her future success in completing school.

Learn More:

Provincial, district and school FSA 2011 results are available on the Ministry of Education website at:http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/

For key facts, sample questions, tips on preparing students and a rundown of what to expect on in the FSA, visit: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/