Date: June 22, 2026

To: Directors of Education
Chief Executive Officers
Secretary/Treasurers of School Authorities

From: Yael Ginsler
Assistant Deputy Minister, Student Achievement Division
Ministry of Education

Didier Pomerleau
Assistant Deputy Minister, French-Language Education Division
Ministry of Education

Subject: Assessment, Evaluation, Attendance and Participation Requirements for Secondary School Students (2026)

This memo provides an update on new requirements related to assessment, evaluation, and reporting for secondary school students, following the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, which received Royal Assent on May 7, 2026.

Updates to Ontario’s assessment policy provide a more consistent approach to assessment and evaluation for students in Grades 9 to 12, supporting students to reach their full potential and prepare them for post-secondary pathways, and continue to enable teachers to exercise their professional judgement.

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, most secondary courses will require written exams as a percentage of the final course mark. Written exams are to take place during the designated exam period in the school year calendar, except for the EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics, which will continue to take place during the EQAO assessment window. Exams for online courses offered through school boards will be written in-person at each student’s home school or another location if required, unless the school board is able to provide online proctoring with security and integrity.

Students’ final grades will also reflect their attendance and participation in class, in recognition of the significant impact these have on achievement. Excused absences will not negatively affect a student’s mark.

  • In Grades 9 and 10, a student’s final mark will be based on:
    • 65% classroom work
    • 20% final evaluations
    • 15% attendance and participation
  • In Grades 11 and 12, a student’s final mark will be based on:
    • 65% classroom work
    • 25% final evaluations
    • 10% attendance and participation

 The following courses are exempt from mandatory written exams. In these courses, student learning will be assessed through in‑class culminating tasks (e.g., projects, presentations, and portfolios):

 Exempt by Course Type

·         Grades 9 and 10 Locally Developed Compulsory Credits (LDCC)

·         Grades 11 and 12 Workplace Level Courses (E courses)

·         Grades 11 and 12 Open Level Courses (O courses)

 Exempt by Subject Area

·         Guidance and Career Education

·         Co-operative Education

·         Interdisciplinary Studies

·         American Sign Language as a Second Language

Further details on the mandatory exam policy, including a full subject-by-subject breakdown, can be found at Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools.

Thank you for your ongoing leadership in support of student achievement and success.

Sincerely,

Yael Ginsler                             

Assistant Deputy Minister

Didier Pomerleau

Assistant Deputy Minister