Government of Alberta News Release
January 29, 1997
Alberta's Students Exceed Expectations in Science
Alberta's 13- and 16-year-old students have achieved significantly higher science results than their Canadian counterparts in the School Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP), a nation-wide assessment conducted by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.
"Alberta's results are well above Canada's for both age groups," said Education Minister Gary Mar. "The statistics also show substantial growth in achievement between ages 13 and 16."
More than four out of five of the 13-year-old Alberta students (83 per cent) performed at level 2 or above. This compares with 71.9 per cent for all 13-year-old Canadian students. These findings are consistent with the results for grade 8 science in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study released last November.
At age 16, more than three out of four Alberta students (78.6 per cent) performed at level 3 or above. This compares with 69 per cent for all 16 year-old Canadian students. For more on these performance levels, see attached backgrounder.
Almost 26,000 Canadian students including 2,200 from Alberta wrote the 150-minute test. In addition, more than 11,000 Canadian students including a small number of Albertans (193) took part in a hands-on practical assessment.
The students were randomly selected from grades 8 and 11 and asked to respond to 78 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, designed to test their general knowledge of science concepts, science skills and ability to relate these to the everyday world.
No statistical difference in achievement between Alberta male and female students was found in this assessment. This finding was also true of the international math and science study results released late last year.
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For further information, please contact:
Jim Brackenbury - Student Evaluation, Alberta Education - (403) 427-0010
David May - Communications, Alberta Education - (403) 427-2285
For toll-free connection outside Edmonton (within Alberta), dial 310-0000.
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Copyright(c); 1997 Government of Alberta
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