Half of all Grade 6 students in Ontario did not meet the provincial math standard this year and both the public and Catholic school boards in Windsor-Essex are trying to improve their numbers.

Standardized test results for elementary school students released August 31 by the province's Education Quality and Accountability Office show that while reading results are improving, math results are getting worse.

This year only 50 per cent of Grade 6 students met the math standard, compared to 58 per cent in 2012. The Grade 3 math results showed a decline too, with 63 per cent of students meeting the provincial standard, compared to 68 per cent in 2012.

Emelda Byrne, executive superintendent of student achievement for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, says they have a plan.

“A lead teacher will come forward and participate in professional learning sessions in math and then be able to go back to their school and work with other teacher colleagues," says Byrne.

Some of the topics they'll be working on are measurement, geometry and fractions.

“And the reason is we looked at our data over the last couple of years and that's where we're seeing some of the gaps in our students in learning in the math area," says Byrne.

In years past, when reading and literacy was a concern for school boards, they encouraged parents to read with their children at home.

The numbers started to improve and they're hoping a similar approach with help with math.

Last year, parents who visited a classroom received math kits to take home.

“So that when they got home they could actually work with their children on math activities to prepare them for that math conversation,” says Byrne.

Education Minister Mitzie Hunter released a statement last month, touting a new math strategy that is being introduced this school year.

"(It) will provide improved access to online math resources such as Homework Help or SOS Devoir, dedicated math leads in every elementary school, professional learning for educators and school leaders, and providing students with better supports outside of the school day such as tutoring and summer 'reach-ahead' opportunities," she said in a statement.

"Improving student success remains our highest priority, and we are committed to ensuring that all students achieve their full potential."

With files from The Canadian Press.