PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

PIRLS 2006 Encyclopediabiology, chemistry, French, German, geography, geology, history, Japanese, Englishliterature, principles of mathematics, Mandarin Chinese, physics, Punjabi, and Spanish.Standardized TestsThe province does not administer standardized commercial tests. Instead, provinciallydevelopedcriterion-referenced assessments are administered under standardizedconditions. However, individual school districts or schools may use standardizedcommercial tests to evaluate their students’ learning. These tests may include theCanadian Cognitive Abilities Test, Canadian Test of Basic Skills, Canadian AchievementTest, and the Developmental Reading Assessment.Monitoring Individual Student ProgressTeachers document student progress through report cards, which indicate student’sperformance based on the provincial curriculum, areas in which the student mayrequire further attention or development, and ways of supporting the student in hisor her learning and behavior, including information on attitudes, work habits, effort,and social responsibility. Classroom assessment and provincial assessments are used byclassroom teachers to monitor student progress. 26Nova ScotiaLanguage and LiteracyThe majority of students in Nova Scotia are educated in English first-language programs.However, the province also offers French first-language programs to meet the needs ofthe Acadian and Francophone populations. Public school programs ensure that studentshave opportunities to learn both of Canada’s official languages.Programs offered by the Anglophone boards include the English program, English asa second language program, and four French second-language programs. In the Englishprogram, a second language must be offered beginning at grade 4, and most studentsstudy French. Where offered, Gaelic and Mi’kmaq may be introduced at grade 3, whichfulfill the second language requirement of the public school program. At the secondarylevel, German, Latin, and Spanish programs also are made available to school boardswho wish to offer these programs.French first-language programs are offered by the Provincial Acadian School Council(Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial). All courses are taught in French and the sameEnglish language arts course as the one offered in the English first-language schools ismandatory for all students beginning in grade 3. At the secondary level, most studentsin the French schools take the same English language arts courses that are offered in theEnglish first-language schools. A Spanish program also is available at the secondary level.CanadaEmphasis on LiteracyLiteracy is a priority in Nova Scotia’s public schools at all grade levels and in all subjectareas. Nova Scotia’s Literacy Success strategy centers on improving teaching, learning, and70