As students and teachers return to school, the Ontario government is making record investments in publicly funded education and delivering significant updates across the education system to put student achievement first. For the 2026-27 school year, students and teachers are returning to updated curriculum, new classroom resources and supports, clearer and more consistent expectations, and continued investments in new and expanded schools across the province. Through this work, the government is delivering on its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success with a back-to-basics approach that strengthens student achievement and prepares them for rewarding careers.
"Our focus is clear: putting student achievement first and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "We are making record investments in education, and we expect those investments to deliver better results for students. We are giving teachers the tools and resources they need, giving parents clearer information and greater confidence in their child's education, and making sure students are building strong skills to succeed in school and prepare for the future."
As part of this work, the government is putting more resources directly into classrooms. For the first time this school year, eligible elementary homeroom teachers have direct access to $750 annually to purchase classroom supplies, in addition to existing funding that school boards receive for classroom and school supplies. Following an open and competitive procurement process led by Supply Ontario, Staples Canada was selected to deliver the new Classroom Supplies Fund. An online portal for eligible teachers includes 220 core products identified through feedback from more than 23,000 Ontario teachers. These core products are offered at prices significantly lower than those found at Staples in-store and online. If a teacher happens to find a product that costs more on the portal, Staples Canada has set up a dedicated customer service line to respond to any price differences and will ensure prices are matched.
The government is backing these changes with $30.6 billion in Core Education Funding for the 2026-27 school year, part of Ontario's record investments in the publicly funded provincial education system. The government expects these investments to deliver better outcomes for students by directing resources where they matter most: supporting students in the classroom and helping them build the skills they need to succeed.
Ontario is also continuing to invest in the schools that students learn in every day. This fall, 35 new and expanded schools are opening across Ontario, creating more than 18,300 student spaces and 1,130 licensed child care spaces through an investment of more than $1 billion. These projects are part of Ontario's nearly $30-billion, 10-year plan to build, expand and renew schools across the province.
Students and families will also see several updates in classrooms this school year, including new provincewide standards for secondary assessment and grading, mandatory written exams in most courses, clearer expectations around attendance and participation, a new Grade 10 financial literacy requirement, updated Kindergarten and history curriculum, paper report cards for elementary students and new curriculum-aligned classroom resources for teachers.
These actions reflect the government's continued focus on upholding public trust in Ontario's publicly funded education system and are part of the government's plan to build a strong, accountable and well-supported public education system with a back-to-basics approach that is focused on improving student outcomes.
Quick Facts
- Every school board now has a Student and Family Support Office, giving families another place to turn when concerns cannot be resolved at the school level.
- This school year, secondary students across Ontario are being held to the same clear assessment standards. Classroom work will account for 65 per cent of final grades, while final evaluations will account for 20 per cent in Grades 9 and 10 and 25 per cent in Grades 11 and 12, with written final exams returning in most courses.
- Attendance and participation now count for 15 per cent of final grades in Grades 9 and 10, and 10 per cent in Grades 11 and 12, while ensuring students are not penalized for excused absences.
- The Advisory Body on Student Achievement and Assessment is leading a comprehensive review of student achievement and assessment across the province, including how to strengthen student outcomes in foundational areas such as reading, writing and math.
- Ontario is equipping teachers with modernized English and French classroom resources through Nelson Education's Edwin platform, helping deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned lessons and a more consistent educational experience for students.
- The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, brings greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario's education system through new and enhanced measures to support student success.
Additional Resources
- Putting student achievement first
- Funding for elementary classroom supplies
- Growing success: assessment, evaluation and reporting (Kindergarten to Grade 12)
- Ontario Introduces Legislation to Hold School Boards Accountable and Support Student Achievement
- Strengthening student achievement in our schools
- Your child's education: a parent guide to our school system
- Programs that support your child's success
