Four main goals targeting student success have been highlighted as part of Government's 'Blueprint for Reform in Education'.

The five-year strategic plan for the Island's public schools was released last week.

It lists the following target outcomes for all students:

• that they demonstrate proficient academic achievement that enables them to compete locally and globally;

• that they demonstrate moral, social and ethical behaviours that ensure success in school and life;

• that they demonstrate healthy fitness and wellness lifestyles;

• that they graduate either ready for college, post-secondary training or a skilled workforce.

"The Department of Education has targeted four main goals which demonstrate high expectations for 100 percent of our students," the report states. "However, a standard of 90 percent is used in the targets to represent student performance at any point in time, which may vary due to circumstances that students encounter on a daily basis."

The plan divided the expectations by age groups:

• Preschool children will demonstrate the ability to approach problems flexibly, recognise patterns, demonstrate basic locomotor skills, demonstrate the ability to use tools for writing and drawing.

• Primary school students will complete a portfolio at the proficient level or higher in visual arts, music and information technology. The students will demonstrate at least one year's growth in reading as measured by benchmark assessments and will demonstrate adequate progress on quarterly, common, system-wide benchmark assessments in language arts, mathematics and science.

• Middle school students will score at or above level three on the Cambridge Checkpoint Assessment in English, mathematics and science. Students will demonstrate proficient or higher performance on criterion-reference tests in Spanish and social studies.

• Senior school students will attain a grade of 'C' or above on all end-of-course assessments. Students entering senior one will graduate four years later with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or better.

All students will be required to attend school for 95 percent of school days, decrease multiple suspensions by ten percent each year and participate in community service and extra-curricular activities. They will be expected to demonstrate appropriate fitness levels. Ninety percent of students will be expected to be accepted into college or other post-secondary training by graduation.