Ontario Implements Mandatory Exams and Attendance Grading for 2026-2027
New provincial policies shift high school assessment toward written exams and attendance metrics while introducing a 'back-to-basics' kindergarten curriculum.
Ben Adeyemi
education · Toronto & Canada
Ben follows the school system from kindergarten to convocation, and he's found the budget meeting usually explains the classroom.
Drawn to
- a funding formula nobody can explain simply
- the program cut that outlasts the controversy
- campus decisions that ripple into tuition
29 stories published
Bylines
Ontario Implements Sweeping Education Overhaul for 2026-2027 School Year
Mandatory exams, attendance-based grading, and a 'back-to-basics' kindergarten curriculum mark a shift toward academic rigor and standardized evaluation.
Ontario's New School Supply Portal Faces Pricing Backlash
Education Minister Paul Calandra admits to 'mistakes' as teachers report higher costs on the government's new Staples-powered procurement site.
Education Rallies Signal Breaking Point as Contract Deadlines Loom
Widespread protests across Ontario highlight a deepening divide between educators and the province, threatening the stability of the upcoming school year.
The Breaking Point: Ontario's Education Policy is a Bet Against the Classroom
Opinion: By prioritizing financial oversight and austerity over frontline resources, the province is ignoring the reality of our schools—and the recent wave of protests proves the patience of parents and educators has run out.
Obscure 1930s Statute Fuels Canada Trade War
President Trump's invocation of Section 338 to impose tariffs on Canadian imports raises legal questions and creates instability for cross-border partnerships.
Quebec's French Language Exemptions Out of Reach for Neurodivergent Students
High rejection rates and bureaucratic hurdles are preventing students with disabilities from accessing post-secondary education.
Bargaining Deadlock: Why New Classrooms Can't Fix a Broken Contract Process
As the Ford government and secondary teachers clash over the structure of negotiations, the stability of the school year hangs in the balance.
The Mortgage Cliff is a Student Crisis in Disguise
Opinion: As Toronto homeowners face a wave of unaffordable renewals, the resulting financial instability threatens the educational futures of thousands of GTA families.
Private Patronage as a Proxy for Public Policy: The Cost of Nova Scotia's Library Crisis
Author Rachel Reid's $300,000 donation saves Annapolis Valley branches from immediate closure, but the reliance on philanthropy underscores a systemic failure in provincial funding.
Bill C-34 is a Performance, Not a Policy
Opinion: The federal government's social media ban for under-16s is a headline-chasing move destined for a Charter defeat.
Ottawa Weighs Age Verification for Social Media Amid Global Implementation Struggles
Bill C-34 seeks to block users under 16 from social platforms, but international precedents suggest significant enforcement gaps and privacy risks.
Pediatricians Warn of 'Exponential Rise' in Childhood E-Scooter Injuries
Medical experts urge caution as severe and potentially fatal accidents involving e-scooters increase across Canada.
U of T Targets High-Density Housing to Address Bed Shortage
The university is partnering with private developers to build a 49-storey tower and additional residences as part of a broader push to expand student capacity.
Shakespeare in the Frat House: Performance and Space at UofT
A Summerworks production brings Julius Caesar to the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, sparking questions about the intersection of campus tradition and public art.
The Seat of Power vs. The Policy Lever: Ontario Liberal Leadership Divide
As candidates debate whether a leader needs a seat in the legislature, the disconnect between political optics and the tangible needs of Ontario's education system becomes clear.
St. Catharines Floods: A Warning for School Infrastructure
As municipal systems collapse under historic rainfall, Ontario's education facilities must prioritize climate-resiliency before the next school year.
Pottery and Platforms: A Desperate Pivot in Ontario's Arts Scene
The Hill Potters' Guild's move to OnlyFans highlights a broader crisis of dwindling funding and rising costs facing Ontario's creative institutions.
Toronto Paramedic Services to Welcome 45 New Graduates
The addition of new Primary Care Paramedics comes as the city provides pre-hospital care to a population of over three million.
Toronto Proposes Temporary 'BTS Boulevard' to Welcome K-Pop Stars
City Councillor Lily Cheng suggests ceremonial renaming of a Yonge Street stretch ahead of August concerts.
Urban Decay and the Battle for Stability in Winnipeg's North End
Vacant properties and systemic infrastructure collapse in the William Whyte neighbourhood create safety hazards for youth and barriers to stable housing.
Federal Disability Definition Mismatch Leaves Episodic Patients Without Support
Advocates warn that conflicting legal definitions of disability prevent those with fluctuating conditions from accessing essential federal benefits.
Toronto Music Teacher Charged in Historical Sexual Assault Case
York Regional Police are seeking additional victims after charging Wylie Zi Hin Lam in connection with the exploitation of a former student.
Ontario Police Arrest 63 in Massive Internet Child Exploitation Bust
Project Time results in over 200 charges, highlighting the ongoing risks children face online.
Algorithmic Gouging is a Threat to Our Students' Tables
Opinion: Mayor Olivia Chow's push to ban surveillance pricing in Toronto is more than a grocery issue—it is a necessary shield for low-income families and students facing predatory data practices.
Opinion: The World Cup Legacy Audit: Corporate Windfall or Youth Investment?
As the dust settles on the FIFA World Cup 2026, a look at the City of Toronto's reported 'legacy initiatives' reveals a tension between massive corporate-scale logistics and targeted community gains.
Canadians Fear Power Bill Spikes Amid AI Data Centre Expansion
A Leger poll reveals widespread concern over electricity costs and environmental impacts as Canada scales up data centre capacity.
Ontario Minister of Sport Neil Lumsden Announces Retirement
The departure of the former CFL player leaves a vacancy in Premier Doug Ford's cabinet and the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek legislature seat.
TTC to Resume Planned Closures Day After FIFA World Cup Ends
The agency halted outages June 9 for the tournament; early Line 1 closures and a delayed Line 2 start begin July 20
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