The Government of Ontario has nominated for appointment Dave Cooke as the new chair of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), subject to review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies.
Mr. Cooke was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for 20 years, serving in numerous capacities - including Minister of Education. During that time, the government established the Royal Commission on Learning, which led to the creation of EQAO.
EQAO is responsible for student assessments that produce objective, reliable, publicly shared information about student achievement in reading, writing and mathematics. This information is also used by the Ontario government to support the development of policies and curricula that respond to student needs.
Working to move publicly funded education from great to excellent is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- The latest EQAO test scores show that 72 per cent of grades 3 and 6 students are meeting or exceeding the provincial standard in reading, writing and math, an increase of 18 percentage points compared to 2002-03.
- Ontario is committed to having 75 per cent of grades 3 and 6 students meet the high provincial standards in EQAO assessments.
- The Education Quality and Accountability Office is an independent agency of the Ontario government that was established in 1996.
- Outgoing EQAO Chair Dr. Brian L. Desbiens has led the organization since 2008.