The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) recently released standardized testing results for the 2023-24 school year in Ontario, indicating that fewer students in grades 3 and 6 are meeting the provincial standard in reading and writing compared to the previous year. Math scores, on the other hand, have remained steady or slightly improved, although they are still low. For Grade 6 and 9 students, math results continue to be low, with only about half of students meeting the standard. Meanwhile, 61 percent of Grade 3 students met the standard, showing a one percentage point increase over the past two years.
In terms of reading and writing, the results show a decline in the percentage of students meeting the provincial standard. For Grade 3 students, 71 percent met the standard in reading, down two percentage points from the previous year, and 64 percent met the standard in writing, a decrease from 65 percent the year before. In Grade 6, 82 percent of students met the standard in reading, down two percentage points from the previous year, and 80 percent met the standard in writing, a decrease from 84 percent. Despite these declines, 85 percent of Grade 10 students were successful in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, the same percentage as the previous year.
Education Minister Jill Dunlop expressed optimism about the results, stating that student learning in Ontario is stabilizing after years of disruption due to the pandemic. She credited the government’s focus on core learning and practical skills development, as well as investments in literacy and math totaling over $165 million. Dunlop also highlighted the importance of avoiding labor unrest to ensure that students can continue learning in the classroom. She pointed out specific examples of school boards that significantly improved their math results, emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening students’ core skills in the future.
The CEO of the standardized testing office, Dan Koenig, commented on the results, noting that elementary school reading achievement remains high and stable over time, while writing achievement requires more attention. He emphasized the importance of closing learning gaps as the ultimate goal in education and stated that EQAO data helps inform initiatives that support students both locally and system-wide. By understanding students’ needs and strengths through assessment information, educators can better tailor their efforts to improve educational outcomes.
Overall, the standardized testing results in Ontario reveal a mixed picture of student achievement, with improvements in math scores but declines in reading and writing performance. While there are challenges to address, Education Minister Jill Dunlop and the EQAO CEO emphasize the importance of continued investment in core skills development and the implementation of measures to support student learning. By leveraging data and evidence-based strategies, stakeholders in education can work together to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed academically.
