December 3, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Today, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released its latest assessment results. I have taken the time to review them closely, and I want to share with you directly what these results mean and the steps we are taking in response.
Student achievement in Ontario is not improving fast enough. I know this is not acceptable to you, and as Minister of Education, it is not acceptable to me. Our students deserve better results and stronger outcomes, especially in reading, writing and math.
The results show that despite continued improvement in recent years as our government has continued to implement a back-to-basics curriculum, the pace of improvement in reading, writing and math has not been adequate. The results show half of Grade 6 students and 42 per cent of Grade 9 students are not meeting the provincial standard in math, while some student groups and school boards continue to face serious gaps in achievement.
Our responsibility is to do everything possible to boost student achievement. That is why, as we continue to review school board governance to address the many longstanding issues that have too often diverted boards from prioritizing student achievement, I am appointing a new advisory body to lead a thorough review of how Ontario supports student learning. This review will focus on identifying the real causes behind the gaps in achievement. It will provide clear, practical steps to better support teachers, parents and students.
The review will look at whether our curriculum and learning resources are clear and easy to use. It will consider how well teachers are being prepared and supported. It will examine whether students have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. It will also assess whether EQAO assessments align with what students are learning and whether those assessments are fair for everyone.
The advisory body will consider how data can be used to strengthen teaching, policy and funding decisions. It will evaluate whether students who need extra help are receiving effective supports, including students with special education needs. It will also look at how we can better prepare students before they participate in standardized testing.
We will release these recommendations publicly so that families, teachers and communities can see the steps we are taking to improve outcomes for every student.
We have a responsibility to make sure every student has the skills and confidence they need to succeed. You expect better results for your children, and so do I. We will continue taking whatever steps are necessary to improve student achievement.
Sincerely,
Paul Calandra
Minister of Education