At the Near North Board, a grade 9 assessment of mathematics shows only 34 per cent of fully participating students at or above the provincial standard for the 2024–2025 school year
Ontario’s Minister of Education Paul Calandra, today called the Near North Board of Education EQAO results “horrific.”
These are the scores from province-wide assessments in Ontario schools that measure student achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics against the curriculum. These results are used to understand individual student progress, identify areas for improvement, and inform educators and the public about overall school and board performance.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office issued the results of its standardized testing for reading, writing, and math scores on Wednesday, with the government saying they indicate the “pace of improvement … has not been adequate.”
Calandra was speaking at a news conference in Toronto on Wednesday morning.
“I just took over the Near North School Board. They have some of the most horrific results in the province because they spend too much time fighting each other and not enough time on what is their core mandate, students. And we’re seeing that in many different boards across the province.”
Calandra thinks dysfunctional governance plays a role.
“Well, as I said, the Near North obviously is close to the bottom. The other boards under supervision are in the middle, at best, frankly.”
Results released today show that, provincewide, 50 per cent of students are not meeting the provincial math standard.
It’s much worse at the Near North Board, where a grade 9 assessment of mathematics shows only 34 per cent of fully participating students at or above the provincial standard for the 2024–2025 school year. That’s up from just 28 per cent last year.
See the full report here.
Results for Near North grade 6 students in math show only 29 per cent meet the provincial standard.
“Half of grade six students and 42 per cent of grade nine students are not meeting the provincial standard in math,” added Calandra. “Some student groups and school boards continue to face serious gaps in achievement, and this is simply not good enough.”
Calandra says students deserve better, and the Ministry must also do better.
“We are seeing the same issues through our broader governance review. Too many boards and trustees are distracted by matters that have nothing to do with student achievement, and this must change. As we continue to review school board governance, I am appointing a new advisory body to lead a thorough review of how Ontario supports student learning.
“This review will focus on math, reading and writing, and 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 look into 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.”
Calandra took over the Near North Board on Monday of this week and is acting as its supervisor.
There is no one at the local board to comment on the results, and Calandra confirmed Director of Education Craig Myles is “on leave.”
Calandra ordered the Near North District School Board to take 15 binding actions to “restore effective governance and rebuild trust,” but the province now says that the board failed miserably.
See: Education Minister: Near North Board ‘poster child’ for takeover
On Monday, citing deep-rooted mismanagement and a failure to prioritize student outcomes, the Ministry of Education assumed control of the Near North District School Board using newly expanded oversight powers.
See: Province seizes control of troubled Near North District School Board
Calandrea says he expects to appoint a supervisor for the Near North “soon.”
Watch Calandra’s news conference below,
