Ontario's Education Minister has launched a formal review of the province's education system following the release of standardized test results that paint a concerning picture of student achievement, particularly in mathematics.
Dismal Math Results Prompt Action
Education Minister Paul Calandra announced the review on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, calling the latest data from the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) "unacceptable." The results indicate that student progress in core subjects is not happening quickly enough, despite government efforts.
"The results show that despite improvements as we continue to implement a back-to-basics approach, there have been inadequate progress in reading, writing and especially math," Calandra stated to reporters.
A Closer Look at the Numbers
The standardized testing data reveals a significant struggle with mathematics across key grade levels. According to the EQAO, 42% of Grade 9 students in English-language programs failed to meet the provincial math standard. The situation is even more stark for younger students, with roughly half of all Grade 6 students in English-language programs also failing to meet the math standard.
In concrete terms, only 58% of the 133,542 assessed Grade 9 students met provincial standards, a figure that represents a modest four per cent increase from the previous school year. For Grade 6, the results were similarly troubling, with just 51% of 127,174 students meeting the standard—a mere one per cent improvement.
Beyond the scores, the data also captured student attitudes. Only half of Grade 9 students reported enjoying math, and just 37% said it was one of their favourite subjects.
Political and Union Reaction
The release of the results and the minister's response have sparked criticism from opposition parties and educators. Ontario Liberal Leader John Fraser accused the government of delaying the report's release, which was originally slated for the fall.
"Parents and educators deserved the truth in September — not December," Fraser said in a statement. He criticized the new advisory body as a "delay tactic" and pointed to per-student funding cuts since 2018.
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) went further, calling for the EQAO to be scrapped entirely. Union president David Mastin argued that educators are contending with large class sizes and increasing violence, making standardized test results a misplaced priority. He also questioned the minister's "deep dive" into the data before its release, asking why an arms-length agency's report was subject to government intervention.
Broader Education Reforms Underway
This review comes amid a series of major overhauls to Ontario's education system led by Minister Calandra. The province has already placed six school boards under provincial supervision due to allegations of mismanagement, including the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and, most recently, the Near North District School Board.
The newly announced advisory body will conduct a thorough review focused on math, reading, and writing, with a mandate to identify the root causes of the achievement gaps. The government's stated goal remains accelerating student learning through its "back-to-basics" approach, but these latest results suggest significant challenges remain.
