Province directs new classroom funding and clearer grading rules for 2026–27

What is happening and who it affects

• Effective for the 2026–27 school year across the province: a package of funding, classroom resources, curriculum updates and assessment changes aimed at improving student achievement.

By the numbers

• $30.6 billion in Core Education Funding for 2026–27.
• Eligible elementary homeroom teachers get direct access to $750 annually for classroom supplies.
• 35 new and expanded schools opening this fall, creating more than 18,300 student spaces and 1,130 licensed child care spaces, backed by over $1 billion in investment.

New classroom resources and procurement details

• Supply Ontario ran a competitive process and selected Staples Canada to deliver the Classroom Supplies Fund.
• An online portal offers 220 core products identified with input from over 23,000 teachers; prices on the portal are set lower than Staples retail prices and a dedicated customer service line will address any price differences.
• Teachers also get modernized English and French resources through Nelson Education’s Edwin platform.

Assessment, grading and other classroom changes

• Provincewide secondary assessment standards: classroom work = 65% of final grades; final evaluations = 20% in Grades 9–10 and 25% in Grades 11–12.
• Attendance and participation count for 15% of final grades in Grades 9–10 and 10% in Grades 11–12; excused absences will not be penalized.
• Written final exams will return in most courses.
• New Grade 10 financial literacy requirement, updated Kindergarten and history curriculum, and paper report cards for elementary students.

Supports and accountability

• Every school board now has a Student and Family Support Office for unresolved concerns.
• The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026 is presented as a framework to increase consistency, accountability and modernization across the education system.

Why it matters

• The changes direct money and materials into classrooms, change how student performance is measured, and add school and child care capacity — all intended to make school boards focus more directly on student outcomes.