Numeracy Plan

Division Priority Two: NLPS Will Improve Numeracy in Students

Our Priority

Northern Lights Public Schools is committed to building a culture of numeracy, empowering learners, teachers and leaders to collectively shift their practice, giving meaning to mathematics as they improve numeracy skills and understanding of all students. This priority was established by the board after extensive consultations with students, parents and staff.

Our Definition

Alberta Education defines numeracy as the ability, confidence and willingness to engage with quantitative and spatial information to make informed decisions in all aspects of daily living.

Our Evidence of Improvement

Northern Lights students complete annual numeracy benchmark assessments using Canadian Achievement Test 4 (CAT4) and NLPS-developed Common Assessments, in addition to the regular classroom assessments that occur. Results are reviewed by schools each year. Additionally, Provincial, Numeracy Screening Assessments, Provincial Achievement Tests and Provincial Diploma Exams are used to monitor student progress

Our Actions

Our School Plans

As part of their improvement plans, each school in Northern Lights is implementing universal, targeted and individualized strategies to enhance support for students. These strategies align with divisional actions and are designed to meet the unique demographics and needs of each school.

Our Resources

Director of Instruction - K-6, Director of Instruction - 7-12, Learning Consultants, Student Support Team Coordinators, Administrators, Teaching Staff, and Educational Assistants.

Targets for Improvement

Since Covid, we have gone through a rigorous process of assessment to establish benchmarks in numeracy and capture data in a meaningful way. We are no longer collecting partial data and are moving towards establishing a more complete picture of students' skills and abilities in numeracy.

Provincial Achievement Tests (Total Enrolled)

Acceptable is defined as 50% or better. Excellence is defined as 80% or better.

Provincial Diploma Exams

Acceptable is defined as 50% or better. Excellence is defined as 80% or better.

Targets will need to be reevaluated now that we are running classes and exams at normal
capacity. The value of diploma exams was reduced to 20% of a student’s blended mark in
2022-2023; however, in the 2023-24 school year, exam values will increase back up to 30%.

Norm-Referenced Math Assessments

We engaged in a process to collect numeracy data from the CAT4 assessments for students in Grades 2-4, then unexpectedly the Province mandated their own numeracy screening
assessments for Grade 1. Now we will continue to follow the provincial plan, should they
continue to mandate assessments in other grades.

Grades 2 to 4 CAT4 Average achievement is based on a stanine score of four and above from the Canadian Test Centre norm-referenced data.

NLPS Math Assessments

Grade 7 to 9 Common assessment participation continues to increase post-COVID and higher validity of the data will come from higher participation. With the addition of a Director of Learning from 7-12, along with the Learning Consultants, there will be more intentional work with schools to achieve targets.