75% are not happy with their children’s education in Ontario: poll

A new poll shows significant frustration among Ontario parents with the education system. Out of 2,185 votes, a large majority, 75.7 percent (1,654 voters), said they are not happy with their child’s education, while only 24.3 percent (531 voters) said they are satisfied.

The strong negative sentiment comes at the same time the province is launching a major review of its standardized testing approach following years of slow improvement in student performance, especially in math.

Background: Slow Progress in Student Achievement

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) recently released provincial test results that show only small gains across most grades.

Key results from the latest testing cycle include:

• Grade 3 math: About two thirds of students met the provincial standard.
• Grade 6 math: Just over half met the standard, leaving nearly half of the students below expectations.
• Grade 9 math: Under 60 percent met the provincial benchmark.

Literacy scores remain generally stronger, but the gap between reading and writing performance and math continues to be wide.

The Ontario government has acknowledged the lack of progress, noting that results have not rebounded as quickly as expected after the pandemic. The minister of education has announced an advisory panel that will begin reviewing the testing system in early 2026.

The panel will examine:

• Whether the curriculum aligns with EQAO testing
• How well teachers are supported and trained
• Whether students have the resources they need
• Whether standardized testing is effectively measures real learning

Why Parents May Be Unhappy

The poll results suggest that many parents are feeling the impact of what the test scores show. Students are advancing through grades, yet many are not meeting provincial math expectations.

Concerns parents may be reacting to include:

• Persistent low math achievement
• A gap between classroom marks and test performance
• Worries that students are not gaining strong foundational skills
• Frustration over curriculum changes or resource shortages
• A sense that testing reveals problems but does not solve them

Some educators argue that standardized tests do not capture all learning, while others say the scores highlight gaps that require urgent action.

What Happens Next

The province’s advisory panel could propose:

• Curriculum updates
• New teaching strategies or training requirements
• Changes to how and when tests are administered
• Updates to the design or structure of EQAO assessments

Any major reforms would likely be introduced gradually.

A System at a Crossroads

With three out of four parents expressing unhappiness, the education system is facing a clear confidence problem. While test scores show minor improvement, families appear to want faster and more meaningful progress, especially in math education.

The upcoming review may offer a chance to correct long-standing issues. If changes do not produce results, the disconnect between parents and the school system may continue to grow.