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French Immersion Students Perform
Extremely Well in
BC's 2003 Foundation Skills Assessment
says Candian Parents for French-BC & Yukon!
News Release
Released: October 2, 2003
The BC Ministry of Education released the results of its Foundation Skills
Assessment this week. Grade 4, 7 and 10 students take the FSA in English reading
comprehension, English writing and numeracy. Canadian Parents for French -
BC and Yukon Branch is pleased to note that at every grade level and in every
subject, French Immersion students performed better than the provincial average.
One of the main concerns of parents in selecting French Immersion is its possible
effect on the English-language skills of students. The FSA test scores show
that the English skills of French Immersion students are better, and in Grade
7 and 10 significantly better, than the provincial average. This confirms
the results of other research that shows learning a second language such as
French opens up the imagination and creativity of students and may have a
positive impact on performance in English and other languages.
The results are particularly remarkable at the Grade 4 level. In most Early
French Immersion programs, students only begin to study English Language Arts
in September of their Grade 4 year.
The FSA tests illustrate another reason why the French Immersion program is
growing in popularity in BC. In September 2002, British Columbia set a new
record with 31,990 students enrolled in French Immersion. A new record, possibly
approaching 33,000 students, will be set this year when enrolment statistics
are published by the Ministry.
Canadian Parents for French - BC and Yukon President Melanie Tighe-Lovsin noted:
"It is important not to place too much emphasis on standardized testing.
However, these results do reflect the quality of the French Immersion program.
The program teaches understanding of languages and develops a creative kind
of educational discipline for students. Learning a second language makes it
easier to learn third and fourth languages. The FSA results and other studies
indicate that it also builds confidence and skills in a student's first language."
A table comparing French Immersion scores with the provincial average is attached.
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For more information, please contact Adrian Dix, Executive Director, CPF-BC
& Yukon
phone: 604-524-0134 or 1-800-665-1222
or fax: 604-524-0135
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Foundation Skills Assessment Results - 2003 Reading Comprehension
French Immersion Results and Provincial Average
Reading Comprehension (English)
| |
Below Expectations |
Meets Expectations |
Exceeds Expectations |
| Grade 4 - Average |
23 |
73 |
5 |
| Grade 4 - French Immersion |
15 |
78 |
7 |
| Grade 7 - Average |
23 |
66 |
11 |
| Grade 7 - French Immersion |
10 |
72 |
18 |
| Grade 10 - Average |
26 |
65 |
9 |
| Grade 10 French Immersion |
6 |
72 |
22 |
Writing (English)
| |
Below Expectations |
Meets Expectations |
Exceeds Expectations |
| Grade 4 - Average |
6 |
93 |
1 |
| Grade 4 - French Immersion |
5 |
94 |
1 |
| Grade 7 - Average |
21 |
78 |
2 |
| Grade 7 - French Immersion |
12 |
86 |
2 |
| Grade 10 - Average |
17 |
74 |
10 |
| Grade 10 French Immersion |
5 |
78 |
17 |
Numeracy
| |
Below Expectations |
Meets Expectations |
Exceeds Expectations |
| Grade 4 - Average |
13 |
71 |
16 |
| Grade 4 - French Immersion |
8 |
76 |
16 |
| Grade 7 - Average |
16 |
74 |
10 |
| Grade 7 - French Immersion |
8 |
80 |
12 |
| Grade 10 - Average |
22 |
66 |
12 |
| Grade 10 French Immersion |
8 |
75 |
17 |
Complete information on the 2003
Foundation Skills Assessment can be found at the B.C.
Ministry of Education website.
The information on this page was late updated: October 2, 2003.
This page was last modified October 2, 2003.
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