Red Lake-Madsen Public School has achieved educational excellence by scoring a perfect 10 in the Fraser Institute’s recent evaluation of Ontario elementary schools. This notable achievement is attributed to a series of effective practice changes in teaching reading and mathematics, according to Christy Radbourne, the Director of Education at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB).
The assessment, which is based on provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) testing of Grade 3 and Grade 6 students, highlights the school’s remarkable performance in reading, writing, and mathematics. It places Red Lake-Madsen at the forefront of educational standards in Northwestern Ontario, with another KPDSB institution, New Prospect Public School in Dryden, securing second place with a score of 7.5.
Effective Teaching Strategies Drive Success
Radbourne emphasized that the success of Red Lake-Madsen and other KPDSB schools stems from a commitment to improving teaching practices. “We attribute Red Lake’s success — and the overall improvements in EQAO scores across our board — to practice changes and a dedicated focus on literacy,” she explained. This approach includes implementing what Radbourne refers to as the “science of reading” and the “science of mathematics.”
These methodologies have produced significant results for both students and staff. “We’re thrilled for Red Lake-Madsen to receive this recognition, as it reflects our strong commitment to reading, writing, and math,” she added.
One innovative strategy has been the teaching of “decoding skills” for reading, which involves breaking down words into their component parts to enhance comprehension. Radbourne provided an example of this technique using the words “tired” and “tiredness.” She explained how understanding the suffix “-ness” adds meaning, demonstrating the power of morphological awareness in education. “Breaking words down into meaningful chunks helps a child develop reading comprehension,” she said.
Evidence-Based Practices at the Core of Instruction
Radbourne highlighted the KPDSB’s commitment to utilizing evidence-based practices in education. These practices are chosen based on their proven effectiveness in improving student outcomes. “Our focus on ensuring that all children are learning is where we got started,” she stated. “We use evidence-based practices, meaning ones that we know have an effect size on changing student outcomes.”
The success of Red Lake-Madsen Public School serves as an example of how strategic changes in educational methodologies can lead to outstanding results. As KPDSB continues to refine its approach, the commitment to literacy and numeracy remains central to its mission, ensuring that students are well-prepared for future academic challenges.
