The Ontario government had hoped to improve math and literacy test scores. Instead, many went in the opposite direction.
The Education Quality and Accountability Office released provincial data from its 2021-2022 assessments on Thursday. Results for individual school boards are not expected for several more weeks.
The province tested more than 600,000 students in grades 3, 6, and 9. The results come after a two-year pause because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The sharpest decline was in grade 9 mathematics. Only 52 per cent met the provincial standard compared to 75 per cent before the pandemic.
Students taking the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test scored better. Overall, 82 per cent of students who took the test passed the first time. Of those enrolled in academic courses, 91 per cent were successful, along with 50 per cent of applied course students. Two years ago, only 41 per cent of students enrolled in applied studies met the standard on the first attempt.
"EQAO data show that Ontario's student outcomes are similar to those of other jurisdictions, where the pandemic has had a more significant impact on mathematics than on literacy achievement," said a summary sent to media.
Grade 3 student results fell in all three categories compared to the 2018-2019 school year.
For reading, 73 per cent of students met the provincial standard, down from 77 per cent. While 72 per cent met the standard for writing two years ago, only 65 per cent did in the latest round, and only 59 per cent passed the math portion.
Grade 6 students did better in reading, with 85 per cent passing compared to 83 per cent in 2018-2019. The results for writing didn't change at 84 per cent, and for math, 47 per cent met the provincial standard compared to 50 per cent.
"Data from EQAO's large-scale digitalized assessments on students' achievement -- offer important information that can lead to positive change for each child," said EQAO CEO Dan Koenig. "This year's release of results provides a snapshot of how students are doing after two years of pandemic-related disruptions in schools."
The assessments provide an independent snapshot of whether students meet curriculum expectations at key stages of their education.