What The 2025 EQAO Results Really Mean For Your Child
The latest EQAO 2025 results show a concerning reality. A large share of students are not meeting key math standards when they reach middle school. This has real consequences for confidence, future course choices and long term success in school and beyond.
For parents, this is not just about test scores. It is about whether your child truly understands math, feels confident, and is prepared for high school, post-secondary studies, and future jobs that rely on strong numeracy and literacy skills.
The Math Challenge: Many Students Are Falling Behind
The 2025 assessments reveal a troubling pattern in math achievement across the province, even as literacy remains comparatively stronger.
- In Grade 6, only 51% of students met the provincial standard in mathematics.
- In Grade 9, just 58% met the math standard.
- In Grade 3, 74% of students met the reading standard, 65% met writing, and 64% met math.
These numbers show that many children enter middle school already behind in mathematics — a gap that often grows as expectations increase with each grade.
Literacy Looks Better, But Gaps Still Exist
On the literacy side, results are brighter for many students: by Grade 6, reading and writing standards are met by a strong majority.
Still, not every student is thriving. Some may need more help with reading comprehension, writing organization or building vocabulary — skills that underpin success not just in English classes, but across all subjects.
How Students Feel About Learning: Confidence Is Slipping
EQAO does not only measure results. It also asks students how they feel about reading, writing, and math. These answers matter because a child who believes they are bad at a subject may stop trying, even if they have the potential to learn it.
Key findings in 2025:
• In Grade 6, only 48% of students say they like math, and only 50% say they think they are good at math
• In Grade 9, 50% say they like math and 51% say they believe they are good at it
So even when some students meet the standard, many still struggle with confidence. That affects how they show up at school, which courses they choose in the future, and often what they believe they can achieve.
The Hidden Crisis: Students With Special Education Needs
The EQAO report says clearly that achievement gaps for students with special education needs are still consistent and need more attention. This includes students with Individual Education Plans, ASD, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning needs.
For many of these students:
- Whole class teaching is not enough on its own.
- They may understand ideas, but struggle with how information is presented or how fast it is taught.
- They may need more repetition, visual supports or different teaching strategies to reach the same standard.
Without targeted and consistent support, these learners are more likely to remain below the standard in math or find it harder to keep up in reading and writing. This is not a reflection of their potential. It is a sign that they need teaching based on how they learn best.
Why Families Cannot Wait For The System To Fix This
EQAO provides honest data so Ontario can see where students are struggling. The province is also working on plans to strengthen student achievement, including more focus on math and literacy in school board planning and funding.
But these changes take time, and they happen at a system level. They do not guarantee that your child will get enough one on one time, the right pace or the specialized strategies they personally need.
If your child is already below the standard in math or literacy, or if they have an IEP or special education needs, waiting and hoping things improve on their own is risky. EQAO’s cohort data show that early gaps do not simply disappear. In many cases, students stay behind year after year unless something changes in how they are supported.
How Connect Education Helps Solve The EQAO Problem
Connect Education was created for this exact situation. It is built for parents who see the problem in the EQAO numbers and want real solutions, not just more worry. The platform connects your child with certified teachers and early childhood educators who are trained in the Ontario Curriculum and who understand EQAO expectations in reading, writing and math.
Here is how Connect Education lines up with what EQAO is telling us:
- Targeted math support for Grades 3 to 9
Tutors focus on core skills like number sense, fractions, problem solving and algebra, which are central in EQAO assessments. Lessons are step by step, with clear explanations and plenty of guided practice. - Curriculum aligned literacy support
Tutors help students with reading comprehension, writing structure and vocabulary in ways that match classroom expectations and the literacy skills measured by EQAO and OSSLT. - Special education expertise
Connect Education specializes in matching students with tutors who know how to support ASD, IEPs, dyslexia and other learning needs, using visuals, chunked tasks, movement breaks and other strategies that make learning accessible. - Confidence building, not just content
Because tutors are real educators, they know how to reduce anxiety, build trust and help students slowly shift from “I cannot” to “I can do this with support.” This is crucial for students who already feel discouraged by math or writing.
Turning EQAO Data Into A Personal Action Plan
Many parents receive EQAO results and report cards, but are not sure what to do next. Connect Education helps you turn that data into a clear plan for your child.
A typical path looks like this:
- Share the results
You share your child’s EQAO report, report cards and teacher comments with the tutor. This helps identify which specific skills are missing, instead of guessing. - Set simple, clear goals
Together, you and the tutor set goals like “move from below standard to at standard in fractions and word problems” or “improve reading comprehension of longer texts.” - Follow a personalized plan
The tutor builds a plan with regular sessions, practice activities and check ins that match your child’s grade level and learning style. - Track progress over time
Just as EQAO tracks students over several years, the tutor tracks your child’s progress from month to month, and keeps you updated in plain language.
A Call To Action For Ontario Parents
The EQAO 2025 results are a wake up call. For many children, math is not just a struggle. It is a confidence issue and a growing gap that becomes harder to close over time.
One in three students in that tracked Grade 3 to 6 cohort did not meet the standard. Nearly half of all Grade 6 students did not meet the math standard this year. These children deserve support before high school makes the challenge even harder.
With the right help, kids can catch up. They can rebuild confidence and develop the skills they need for the future.
You do not have to wait for the entire system to change. You can take action now.
If your child’s EQAO results or report card worry you, even a little, this is the time to reach out. A few focused hours each month with the right tutor can change the story from “never met standard” to “finally caught up and feeling confident.”
Book a free assessment today to review your child’s EQAO results, identify their exact learning gaps in math and literacy, and receive a personalized support plan that helps them move toward the provincial standard with confidence.
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