The Fraser Institute released its annual report card on Alberta schools indicating more students are receiving a failing grade on their provincial exams, but the Alberta Teachers Association says that's because more students are writing exams.
Both the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) and the Alberta Government says they have focused on the retention of students. They say more students are writing exams, who two years ago may have dropped out.
"It's a masterful example of how to lie with statistics," said Carol Henderson with the ATA. "Clases vary every year, we don't have the same students in the same situations."
The Fraser Institute report which looks at all 273 Alberta High Schools, indicates more students received a failing grade on their provincial exams in 2009 compared to 2008. According to the report about 18 per cent of students who wrote a provincial exam in 209 failed, compared to 15.8 per cent the previous year.
However, some Edmonton schools earned honours, like Old Scona, which received the Top of Class recognition.
While they are proud of that achievement, Edmonton Public Schools says there is a flaw in the system.
"When you look only at academics, a school like Old Scona where they have very restrictive enrollment of only the highest achievers, it's not really fair to compare them to a school that doesn't have that rigid criteria and accepts students of all abilities," said Cory Sinclair from Edmonton Public Schools.
The Fraser Institute says all school must be put in the same class to give accurate grades and all students should be given an equal opportunity to achieve despite their background.
"For the teachers union, especially to ignore that promise in public education is wrong headed," said Peter Cowley from the Fraser Institute.
For more information on the report card click here
