Growing Success 2026 Changes: Updates & Official Document

Looking for Growing Success 2026 changes before writing Ontario report cards? Start with the ministry’s current policy page, rather than an old PDF saved on your computer. The original document is still the 2010 edition; later updates sit alongside it. This guide separates the new requirements from familiar reporting practices and suggests how to use them when preparing comments for the 2026–27 school year.

Where is the official Growing Success 2026 document?

Ontario continues to provide Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools (2010). The ministry says that PDF does not contain the subsequent updates and is under review. Its Growing Success policy page and updates should therefore be read with the original Growing Success PDF.

What changed in 2026?

Secondary assessment: the previous 70/30 split has changed

The September 2026 update replaces the Grades 9–12 evaluation policy in Chapter 5. Previously, 70% of a course mark came from evaluation throughout the course and 30% from a final evaluation. For 2026–27, classroom work accounts for 65%. Final evaluations count for 20% in Grades 9–10 and 25% in Grades 11–12; attendance and participation account for 15% in Grades 9–10 and 10% in Grades 11–12. Written final exams return in most courses, and excused absences must not be penalized. See the ministry’s September 2026 announcement and the full policy for course-specific requirements.

For comment writing, begin with evidence of what the student knows and can do. If a family needs an explanation of a mark, use the current course breakdown when discussing it; copying the old 70/30 explanation would mislead them. Describe an achievable next step, rather than filling the comment with assessment arithmetic.

Grade 9 mathematics and Grade 10 Career Studies

The Grade 9 EQAO mathematics assessment now contributes 20% of the final course mark, replacing the previous 10–30% range. The financial literacy graduation requirement begins in 2026–27 for students who entered Grade 9 in 2025–26 or later. In Grade 10 Career Studies, its modules require at least 70% and contribute 5% of the final course mark. Check the policy page for attempts and later completion arrangements.

When preparing these reports, check that the recorded mark uses the current requirements. Your comment can then explain a demonstrated skill and a useful next step. For example, a Career Studies comment could identify how a student compares borrowing costs, if that is supported by their work, rather than making a broad claim about financial confidence.

Paper elementary report cards

From June 2026, boards must distribute paper end-of-term report cards for Kindergarten through Grade 8; existing electronic options can continue. This changes delivery, not the structure of a strengths-and-next-steps comment. Leave time to check how the final printed version displays your text.

Kindergarten: the new curriculum and Communication of Learning

The Ontario Curriculum, Kindergarten, 2026 replaces the 2016 program from 2026–27. The ministry’s Communication of Learning guidance lists Foundations of Language and Mathematics alongside Belonging and Contributing, Self-Regulation and Well-Being, and Problem Solving and Innovating. Comments still describe key learning, growth and next steps with specific examples. The Growing Success policy page describes the 2016 Kindergarten Addendum as being updated to align with the new curriculum.

Use the new strand names when organising observations. An example for Foundations of Language and Mathematics might be: “During shared reading, Avery identifies the first sound in familiar words. Next, we will practise blending those sounds in short words using picture cards and oral games.” Adapt any example to what you have actually observed. Our 2026 Kindergarten Communication of Learning guide walks through the revised template in more detail.

What is carried forward from earlier updates?

Elementary mathematics has used one overall grade or mark since 2020; language has used one since 2023. These are not new 2026 changes. Language comments should address reading and writing as part of the foundations of language. Avoid returning to separate strand grades simply because an older example or template uses them.

A useful drafting approach remains: choose a meaningful strength, support it with a concrete example, and identify a specific next step. Use our Growing Success 2026 report card comment examples for achievement levels, IEP statements and a complete elementary example. Our Ontario learning skills guide helps with the six skills and work habits in their own reporting section.

A practical check before submitting report cards

1. Confirm that your template and mark calculations match the policy for your grades.
2. Choose evidence from the current reporting period, rather than recycling last year’s comment.
3. Replace vague praise with an observable skill, task or classroom example.
4. Give one next step that the student and family can understand and act on.
5. Read the final comment alongside the grade or mark and check that they tell a consistent story.

If you use Ontario Report Comments to draft, enter de-identified observations and review each sentence against your assessment evidence and board guidance. Your professional judgement determines the final wording.