Ontario’s Education Minister is optimistic about the recent results from the province’s standardized tests.
Results released by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO), which manages student testing, indicate small increases in the number of students meeting math standards.
At the grade 3 level, 65% of all students who took last spring’s test met the provincial standard, marking a one percent increase.
Fifty-two percent of Grade 6 students met the standard, also a one percent rise compared to 2025 numbers.
The percentage in the grade 9 math assessment also rose by one percent to reach 59% this past spring.
Students are continuing to show improvement in writing and reading assessments.
Sixty-seven percent of grade 3s and 85% of grade 6 students achieved the provincial standard in writing.
In reading, 75% of Grade 3s and 86% of Grade 6s met the benchmark, with both scores seeing gains since 2025.
There were also improvements noted in the Grade 10 literacy test, with 86% of first-time writers meeting standards and 49% rewriting the test achieving the desired benchmark.
Education Minister Paul Calandra emphasizes that while these figures are positive, there is still much work ahead.
“Too many students continue to struggle, achievement gaps persist, and results remain uneven across the province,” states Calandra in a statement.
“The results give us valuable information about where progress is being made and where added action is needed.”
He has instructed his Ministry to assess school boards’ Student Achievement Plans and keep track of their progress.
“These plans are an important tool for boards to use local assessment results to identify where students are falling behind and set out concrete actions to improve student outcomes,” states Calandra.
The Minister is also concerned about why so many students have been exempted from testing.
Exemptions are typically granted to students who cannot complete an assessment.
“This increase requires a closer look. I have therefore directed EQAO leadership to investigate the reasons for this increase and report back on what is driving the changes and whether any further action is needed.”
Randy Thoms is a veteran news broadcaster with over 40 years’ experience. He is based in Fort Frances and covers stories across northwestern Ontario. Contact Randy at thoms. randy@radioabl. ca.
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