Grade 3 Students Reading Levels Rise by 8.0 Per Cent in Saskatchewan

Released on June 27, 2016

More students in Grade 3 are reading at grade level, thanks to the collaborative work between the education sector and the Ministry of Education.  School division data from 2015 shows that 73 per cent of students were reading at grade level, compared to 65 per cent in 2013.

“We know that students who are reading at or above grade level are more likely to go on to be successful in school and to graduate,” Education Minister Don Morgan said.  “That is why our government committed to ensuring all students are able to reach their full potential by working collaboratively with our sector to improve students’ reading.  We are thrilled to see that work is paying off.”

“Saskatchewan Reads and Saskatchewan Reads for Administrators have been implemented in our schools for a little less than two years and already, with a renewed focus on reading, Saskatchewan school divisions are seeing improvements,” Chinook School Division Director of Education and leader of the provincial reading initiative Liam Choo-Foo said.  “We are anticipating this year’s data to indicate a further increase in the number of kids experiencing success.”

Representatives from school divisions, First Nations education authorities, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Education worked together to determine a Grade 3 baseline for reading in 2013.  Since then, there has been a steady increase in Grade 3 reading levels, working toward the goal of having 80 per cent of students reading at or above grade level by 2020 as set out in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP).

Saskatchewan Reads provides supports for teachers to assist students in achieving their reading goals.  It is also a tool to bring people together and focus on a common goal.  A companion resource, Saskatchewan Reads for Administrators, helps school administrators provide leadership and direction in literacy development at the school and division level.

One Saskatchewan school has seen excellent results using Saskatchewan Reads.  After assessments this spring, teachers at Vanguard School report that 100 per cent of students in Grades 1- 6 are reading at or above grade level.

“We were thrilled to find that every one of our students was reading at or above their grade level.  This success can be attributed to a refreshed emphasis on reading through the Saskatchewan Reads initiative,” Vanguard School Principal Greg Shwaga said.  “Our teachers are highly skilled and motivated, creating a classroom environment that is conducive to reading using the Saskatchewan Reads tools.”

Saskatchewan Reads and Saskatchewan Reads for Administrators are available online in English at www.saskatchewanreads.wordpress.com or in French at www.lasaskatchewanlit.wordpress.com.

Reading level data is collected by school divisions annually.

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For more information, contact:

Stephanie Ali                                   
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6304
Email: stephanie.ali@gov.sk.ca

Joanne Booth
Chinook School Division
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-9200 ext. 218
Email: jbooth@chinooksd.ca