The SAIP 1998: Report on Reading and Writing II Assessment was administered in April and May 1998 to a random sample of students from all jurisdictions. Students were randomly assigned to either the reading or the writing assessment. Approximately 46,000 students were in the sample – 24,000 13-year-olds and 22,000 16-year-olds. Students completed the assessment in their first language; about 34,000 students wrote in English and about 12,000 in French. Students in French immersion wrote in English.
The CMEC Student Achievement Indicators Program (SAIP) is an assessment tool that was designed to determine student achievement in relation to Canada-wide standards. SAIP was conducted on a cyclical basis in science, mathematics, and reading and writing, with the results provided on a pan-Canadian and a jurisdictional basis.
Performance is reported on a five-point scale, with one being the lowest and five the highest.
Among the key findings:
- In reading achievement, 78 per cent of the 13-year-olds scored at level 2 or higher, indicating that they can manage surface and directly implied meaning from simple and some complex texts. Over 41 per cent in this age group achieved at level 3, and approximately 9 per cent were at level 4 or 5.
- In reading achievement, over 71 per cent of the 16-year-olds were at levels 3, 4, or 5, meaning they were able to interpret, evaluate, and explore complex and sophisticated texts. Over 33 per cent of this age group was at levels 4 or 5.
- In writing achievement, 95 per cent of 13-year-olds achieved at level 2 or above, with almost 70 per cent at level 3, 4, or 5.
- For 16-year-olds in writing achievement, 85 per cent were at level 3 and higher and 40 per cent were at levels 4 or 5.
- Females showed significantly higher percentages at levels 2 and above in reading for both age groups.