FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. -- A new study revealing grade 10 students across the province are below proficiency levels for math
The new data covers the 2019/2020 school year.
During that period, 60 per cent of grade 10 students in B.C. struggled with mathematics.
Less than half of students took part in writing the mandatory assessment province wide.
While the test is mandatory, only 69 per cent of students in school district 60 did in fact write the test, still above the provincial average of 47.
The assessment replaces the Provincial Achievement Test (P.A.T.), but does not weigh on a student's grade.
Paige MacPherson, Associate Director of Education at Fraser Institute and co-author of the study says, "[the assesments] do not impact the student's final course grade. So although they're mandatory, that might be something that's contributing to the low participation rates that we're seeing overall. of course we do hope that participation in these assessments increase."
The Superintendent of School District 60 says students in B.C. do not have to write the mandatory test if they have permission from a parent or their guardian.
