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I am thinking of registering my son to the FI program at E.W. Foster. I have read some of the posts in this forum about the program and the school itself. But those posts were older. And when I checked EQAO results for EW Foster, the results for RWM... all of them are actually below HDSB average for Grade 3 exam (no data for Grade 6).

Does any one know how valid EQAO results are for public schools in Milton? Does it reflect the FI program offered at the school?

It's rather late now, and I am not sure I am asking the right questions. I know someone may disagree with the way I am using EQAO results. If that's the case, please tell me why not. But I hope there are people out there who understand where I am coming from on this and know what my concerns are... perhaps there are parents who are currently sending their kids to EW's FI program now.

I appreciate any insights anyone may have and willing to share...

Just be careful if you're solely basing it on EQAO. Remember, it is a standardized test and although I will not sit here and say it is the devil, it is just one test. And let me tell you as a grade 6 teacher that administer's the test to grade 6's....it's a hard test. I look at some of those questions and wonder if adultts would be able to get the right answer. And also, some kids tend not to perform well on tests but excel in every other respect. It's stressful for the kids and that can effect how they do. Be sure to research the school as a whole, try to find out what people think of the admin, the teachers, the programming offered, extra-curriculars, etc.

We are very happy with the FI program at EW Foster. I have one son there now, another who has just moved to WI Dick from there after 5 years, and will be sending our youngest there in a few years. I agree with the other poster, EQAO results are not necessarily the best indicator of a schools' success; I would suggest you try and visit the school during the day, and see what you think. Our kids have had some excellent teachers, and I love the atmosphere in the school whenever I visit.

Thanks to those who took the time to reply. I visited the school and decided to keep my son at HVPS. Not entirely based on EQAO result, but it does play an important part. I understand how some of you feel about the test, but I am strong believer that everything in life should be measureable. Although the test may not provide most accurate measure of a school success, it does provide at least one criteria of it. It is unfortunate that other measures is not always well-published and may have a lot more subjectivity to it.