The results of an international study released on November 28, 2007 show that Ontario grade 4 students' reading abilities are among the best in the world.
The 2006 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) involves 45 countries and provinces - Canada was represented by Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The purpose of the study is to assess the reading skills of Grade 4 students from around the world. It is conducted every five years.
Only Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, and the province of Alberta (by a hair!) performed at a higher level than Ontario in overall reading achievement.
Ontario's results are particularly notable given that 38% of participating students sometimes speak a language other that the language of the test at home. This is the largest such percentage in Canada and well above the international average of 29%.
