Province targets governance reforms and consistent classroom standards under proposed legislation
TORONTO — April 13, 2026
The Ontario government has introduced sweeping legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of school boards, standardizing classroom resources and ensuring education funding is directed toward student achievement.
The proposed Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, tabled by Education Minister Paul Calandra, seeks to address what the province describes as persistent governance failures and financial mismanagement across several school boards. The move signals a shift toward tighter provincial control and a more centralized approach to education delivery.
“Ontario’s education system must remain focused on its core responsibility: student success. In some school boards, that focus has been lost, and students are paying the price,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Ontario’s teachers and education workers are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly every day to support students, often under challenging circumstances. They deserve stable, accountable leadership that supports their work and puts learning first. If further action is required to protect students and reinforce respect for the professionals who teach them, we will not hesitate to act.”
Governance failures prompt provincial intervention
The legislation follows a series of interventions by the province, which has placed eight school boards under supervision since 2025. According to the government, these actions were taken in response to growing deficits, depleted reserves and governance breakdowns that have diverted focus away from student outcomes.
Despite what the province describes as record education funding, including $30.3 billion in core funding for the 2025–26 school year, officials say inconsistencies in leadership and decision-making have hindered progress. Recent results from the Education Quality and Accountability Office indicate improvements in reading, writing and math, but highlight ongoing gaps in student performance.
The proposed legislation would impose stricter rules on trustees, including limits on discretionary expenses and honoraria, as well as a cap of 12 elected trustees per board. Trustees would also be required to cover certain external membership costs personally.
In addition, oversight of school board subsidiaries and their use of public funds would be strengthened to prevent misuse and improve transparency.
New leadership structure aims to professionalize oversight
A key component of the bill is the introduction of a corporate-style leadership model within school boards. Under the proposal, Directors of Education would assume the title of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with expanded responsibility for financial and operational oversight.
A new role, Chief Education Officer, would be created to focus exclusively on student achievement and curriculum delivery. The CEO would be required to hold business qualifications, while the Chief Education Officer would need pedagogical credentials, including membership in the Ontario College of Teachers or an equivalent.
The CEO would also lead budget development, with unresolved disputes escalated to the Minister of Education for final decision. Termination of a CEO would require ministerial approval, a measure intended to protect leadership from political interference.
Collective bargaining would also be centralized under the Council of Ontario Directors of Education, positioning it as the lead employer bargaining agency for English public and Catholic school boards.
Standardized learning and new student assessment measures
Beyond governance reforms, the legislation introduces measures designed to create more consistent learning experiences across the province.
School boards would be required to use ministry-approved learning resources, a move aimed at aligning curriculum delivery and ensuring equitable access to high-quality materials regardless of geography.
The province also plans to introduce mandatory written exams for students in Grades 9 through 12, to be held on designated exam days. Additional clarity would be provided on how final grades are calculated.
Student attendance and participation would become a formal component of grading, accounting for 15 per cent of final marks in Grades 9 and 10, and 10 per cent in Grades 11 and 12. The government says this change is intended to improve classroom engagement and accountability.
Broader education strategy and system alignment
The proposed legislation builds on previous reforms, including the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, which expanded provincial oversight of school board finances and governance.
It also aligns with broader efforts to modernize Ontario’s education and postsecondary systems, including updated performance agreements with colleges and universities and a proposed consolidation of accountability functions within the Ministry of Education.
“Amid unprecedented times, our government’s focus has never wavered: equipping students with in-demand skills to thrive in their careers and protect Ontario. If passed, this legislation would build a stronger, more efficient postsecondary system that is focused on meeting the needs of Ontario’s students, communities and economy.”
- Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security
Additional initiatives include new funding for classroom supplies, expanded support for teacher training and the establishment of Student and Family Support Offices across all school boards by September 2026.
Outlook
If passed, the Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026 would mark one of the most significant overhauls of Ontario’s education governance framework in recent years. The government maintains that the changes are necessary to restore accountability and ensure that education funding delivers measurable outcomes for students.
The bill is expected to face scrutiny from education stakeholders, including school boards, teachers’ unions and parent groups, as it moves through the legislative process.