It was a fact-finding mission for the Education Quality and Accountability Office on the unique realities and experiences of northwestern Ontario students.
Members of the EQAO recently visited Keewatin-Patricia District School Board schools in Dryden, Ignace, Red Lake, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout and Kenora.
Director of Education Sean Monteith says the goal was to modernize and localize mandatory provincial testing.
Monteith says their demographic is truly unique and is not reflected in the southern Ontario focused exams.
He believes local students haven’t necessarily been able to demonstrate their learning, experiences and skills as a result of questions and expectations that may not reflect the realities of the north.
Monteith stresses given the opportunity, his students can show that they are as skilled, gifted and capable than anyone in the province.
Monteith calls the visit a success, noting the officials were sincere and wanted to hear their concerns.
Monteith notes school board staff also learned a lot and believes both sides now know how to work more closely together.
The EQAO says it gained valuable insights in speaking with students, staff and community members.