Ontario's Education Minister, Paul Calandra, expressed significant disappointment on Wednesday following the release of the province's latest standardized test scores, announcing a formal review of the assessment system.
Minister "Taken Aback" by Results
Education Minister Paul Calandra stated he was "really taken aback by these results," which he said demonstrated insufficient progress for Ontario students. The minister had delayed the public release of the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) data, citing a need for a deeper analysis.
In response to the findings, Calandra revealed the province's plan to appoint an expert advisory body. This group will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of Ontario's approach to student assessment.
A Closer Look at the Provincial Numbers
The results, which were published on Wednesday, cover assessments taken by more than 574,000 students across Ontario during the 2024-25 school year. The standardized tests evaluate reading, writing, and mathematics skills.
For Grade 3 students in English-language schools, the provincial data shows:
- 74% met the provincial standard in reading, an increase from 71% the previous year.
- 65% met the standard in writing, up from 64%.
- 64% met the standard in math, rising from 61%.
For Grade 6 students, the results were:
- 78% met the reading standard.
- 77% met the writing standard.
- 44% met the math standard.
High school students must also pass a literacy test to graduate, and Grade 9 students take a math proficiency test.
Local Ottawa Performance and Provincial Concerns
While the provincial averages revealed areas of concern, several Ottawa-area school boards outperformed the Ontario-wide numbers in certain subjects. In Grade 6 mathematics, for instance:
- Ottawa-Carleton District School Board: 53% met the standard.
- Ottawa Catholic School Board: 58% met the standard.
- Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (French public): 66% met the standard.
- Conseil des écoles catholiques de l'Est ontarien (French Catholic): 78% met the standard.
Despite acknowledging some improvement in recent years, Minister Calandra emphasized that the pace of gains, particularly in mathematics, has not been adequate. He pointed to broader systemic issues, stating, "In too many cases, dysfunction and infighting among trustees have distracted boards from this core responsibility."
"I have taken the time to closely review these results, and we are taking decisive action to get students on track for stronger achievement," Calandra concluded. The release of the data was itself marred by technical difficulties, as the EQAO website experienced heavy traffic and became inaccessible to many seeking school-specific results.
