New education technology initiative aims to improve student outcomes and provide teachers with real-time learning insights
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $60 million in a new provincewide digital learning platform designed to modernize classroom resources, improve student achievement and provide educators with enhanced tools to monitor academic progress.
The initiative will provide teachers across Ontario’s 72 school boards with access to curriculum-aligned educational materials while giving students interactive learning tools intended to support engagement and achievement. The investment forms part of the province’s broader strategy to modernize education and strengthen consistency in learning experiences regardless of where students attend school.
Beginning in September 2026, educators will gain access to classroom resources through Nelson Education’s Edwin platform, a digital learning system covering Grades 1 through 12 in both English and French. The platform is already in use in several Ontario school boards and was selected following a competitive procurement process led by Supply Ontario.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said the initiative will help ensure greater consistency in how the Ontario curriculum is delivered across the province while providing educators with better information to support students.
“By giving teachers access to high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources, we are helping ensure students are learning the Ontario curriculum in a more consistent way across all 72 school boards,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Teachers will have better information about student progress, helping them identify challenges earlier and respond more quickly to student needs. At the same time, school boards and the province will have a clearer picture of how students are performing across Ontario, helping identify trends to ensure resources and supports are directed where they are needed most.”
Teachers to Receive Expanded Classroom Resources
The Edwin platform will provide teachers with access to lesson plans, videos, interactive activities, presentations and other instructional materials organized by subject and grade level.
Educators will be able to use ready-made resources or customize lessons to suit classroom needs. Materials can be delivered digitally during instruction or downloaded for printed classroom activities.
Provincial officials said the platform is intended to save teachers time while improving access to consistent, high-quality educational content.
To support implementation, Nelson Education’s Edwin team will work directly with school boards to offer training materials and online demonstration sessions. Teachers will also continue to have the flexibility to use supplementary educational materials approved by their local school boards.
New Assessment Standards Introduced
Alongside the digital learning investment, Ontario is introducing mandatory changes to assessment standards for Grades 9 through 12.
The province says the updated policies will create greater consistency in grading practices and provide clearer guidance on how final marks are calculated across secondary school courses. Officials believe the changes will improve transparency and help better prepare students for postsecondary education and future careers.
A detailed assessment policy outlining grading practices, student evaluations and course exemption rules has been released online.
The reforms build on broader education initiatives introduced by the government in recent months, including the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, which received Royal Assent in May and aims to strengthen accountability and modernization across Ontario’s education system.
Part of Broader Education Modernization Strategy
The province says the investment reflects its ongoing focus on improving student achievement while preparing young people for careers in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Ontario has allocated $30.6 billion in Core Education Funding for the 2026-27 school year, representing one of the largest education funding commitments in the province’s history.
Additional recent initiatives include the launch of the Classroom Supplies Fund, which provides elementary homeroom teachers with $750 annually to purchase classroom materials, and the creation of an advisory body tasked with reviewing student achievement and assessment practices, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics.
Education Leaders Welcome Initiative
Education sector leaders said the new platform has the potential to improve classroom experiences while helping teachers meet the needs of diverse learners.
“This initiative demonstrates how a co-ordinated, whole-of-government approach to public sector procurement can help deliver a better, more effective learning experience for students. Our agency will continue working with school boards to implement this solution and ensure educators and students have reliable access to the tools they need.”
- James Wallace, Chief Executive Officer, Supply Ontario
“Great things happen when students, educators and high-quality resources come together. Platforms like this help bring learning to life, giving students new ways to engage in their classrooms while supporting educators in meeting the needs of every learner. Ultimately, it’s about creating the conditions for every student to succeed.”
- Brendan Browne, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Catholic District School Board
“Students deserve the same opportunities to succeed no matter where they go to school. I’m proud that our government is investing in better tools and resources for teachers to support learning in the classroom, help identify gaps earlier and ensure students in Willowdale and across Ontario have the skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.”
- Stan Cho, MPP for Willowdale
“For more than a century, Nelson has been a trusted partner in Canadian education, founded in Toronto in 1914 and built on a deep commitment to the needs of students and teachers across this country. When the Ontario Ministry of Education named Edwin as its Consistent Educational Resource for Grades 1 through 12, this affirmed the vision we had for Edwin. This is more than a milestone for us: it is a reflection of what we have been working toward since we reimagined what a publisher could be. Edwin was built alongside Ontario educators, shaped by real classroom feedback and backed by Nelson’s legacy of curriculum expertise. Every school board in Ontario deserves access to resources that are consistent, trusted and continuously improving, and we are proud that Edwin can now be that for every learner, from Grade 1 through Grade 12.”
- Steve Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Nelson
The province expects the digital learning platform and accompanying assessment reforms to strengthen educational consistency across Ontario while equipping teachers and students with modern tools to support academic success in the years ahead.