Nova Scotia high school students are having a real problem when it comes to math.
Only 45 per cent of Grade 12 students passed the provincial math exam, down from 51 per cent from the previous year, according to a report released yesterday by the province’s Department of Education.
Education Minister Marilyn Moore said in a release she is “troubled” by the results.
“Changes are going to be made to improve student learning,” she said. “A new elementary math curriculum will be rolled out beginning in 2011 … (which) will be more focused than the current curriculum.”
Despite the dismal showing in arithmetic, Nova Scotia students are performing well in reading and writing.
Eighty-two per cent of Grade 9 students “met expectations” in reading literacy, and 95 per cent did the same in writing.
Nationally, Nova Scotia scored just below the national average of 500 in reading (471), mathematics (457), and overall science (480).
• The full report is available online at plans.ednet.ns.ca
