Ontario EQAO results show persistent achievement gaps

Editor’s Note: From our December coverage, this story still speaks directly to current conversations.

There has been widespread speculation about Ontario student performance on the annual EQAO assessments following the delayed public release of results. On Wednesday, December 3^rd, 2025, the province released achievement data for students who wrote the Grade 3, Grade 6, Grade 9, and Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test in 2024. The results showed little overall improvement.

The Canadian Press reported that Ontario’s Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, expressed disappointment with the outcomes. EQAO echoed that concern in its official news release, “Mathematics Achievement Sees Some Growth Over Time but Remains an Area of Concern; Literacy Achievement Strong and Stable by Grade 6 and into Secondary School.” The report highlighted persistent achievement gaps, particularly for students with special education needs, and called for sustained attention.

Primary Division (Grade 3)

• 74% met the provincial standard in reading
  (71% in 2023–2024; 73% in 2022–2023)
• 65% met the provincial standard in writing
  (64% in 2023–2024; 65% in 2022–2023)
• 64% met the provincial standard in mathematics
  (61% in 2023–2024; 60% in 2022–2023)

Junior Division (Grade 6)

• 86% met the provincial standard in reading
  (82% in 2023–2024; 84% in 2022–2023)
• 85% met the provincial standard in writing
  (80% in 2023–2024; 84%in 2022–2023)
• 51% met the provincial standard in mathematics
  (50%in 2023–2024; 50% in 2022–2023)

Grade 9 Mathematics Assessment

• 58% met the provincial standard
  (54% in 2023–2024; 54% in 2022–2023)
  

Taken together, the results paint a consistent picture of uneven performance in mathematics across grades:

• 64% of Grade 3 students met the math standard
• 51% of Grade 6 students met the math standard
• 58% of Grade 9 students met the math standard

Over the years, the Ministry of Education has introduced several initiatives aimed at improving math achievement. These efforts include a return to a back-to-basics curriculum, revisions to Grades 1–8 mathematics expectations, and the introduction of a destreamed Grade 9 math course. Despite these changes, province-wide outcomes continue to lag behind expectations.

The continued weak performance across Grade 3, 6, and 9 EQAO mathematics assessments raises concerns, particularly given the significant public investment required to administer the tests. These results will likely reignite debate about the value, effectiveness, and purpose of EQAO assessments when large numbers of students remain below provincial standards.

For those seeking a detailed breakdown of student performance, EQAO results and reports remain available on the organization’s official website.