Even though provincial exam results have slightly improved in the Chilliwack school district, they're still not good enough, said board trustee Doug McKay.

While a high percentage of students are passing their Grade 10, 11 and 12 core courses with a minimum passing grade of 50 per cent or better, a much lower percentage are passing in the 66 per cent or better range.

"In a number of areas, we still continue to be significantly behind the provincial average at the C plus or better level," said McKay.

The B.C. Education Ministry hasn't yet released its 2008-09 provincial exam results data, but the five-year trend shows that Chilliwack still trails behind the provincial average in classes like English 10 and Science 10.

"What are we doing to try and close that gap?" asked McKay.

For the last year the district has been heavily researching student data across the board, looking at each students' individual provincial exam results, but also going back into the students schooling history, looking at their middle school and elementary grades, as well as their support networks, needs and struggles.

"We are trying to understand why we are getting the results we are getting," said superintendent Corinne McCabe. "That is why we're digging into the data."

The district isn't just looking at the numbers though, they are also implementing new strategies in the classroom.

Last year, several middle school and secondary school teachers adopted the formative assessment method of teaching with the intention of bettering student results.

With formative assessment, teachers regularly gauge their students' understanding of a lesson through ongoing peer assessment, quizzes and review activities – and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly with the intention of continuously engaging all students.

"Teachers are not waiting until the end of term to see that a kid didn't learn a concept," said David Manuel, district data support administrator. "Minute by minute, day by day, they are are checking in on their students' learning, and adjusting their teaching strategies accordingly.

"Research shows that the teachers who are doing more formative assessment in their classrooms are having way more success," said Manuel. "The more teachers who do this, the more effective it will be."

But still, until the district's averages improve, the numbers will continue to stand out like an eye sore.

"I am really disappointed that we are far below the provincial average in the C plus or better range," said Kirsten Brandreth, president of the District Parent Advisory Council. "If we want our kids to be successful to graduate and go beyond, we have to do better than a C minus."

Provincial data from the B.C. Education Ministry won't be available until later this year.

kbartel@theprogress.com