Students across Ajax and the rest of Durham Region posted stable provincial test results this year, and the Durham Catholic District School Board is turning its attention to a stubborn achievement gap affecting students with special education needs.

The board has received its latest reports from the Education Quality and Accountability Office, covering the 2025-2026 school year. The assessments include the Primary and Junior assessments, Grade 9 Mathematics and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, according to the Durham Catholic District School Board.

Overall, the board described its results as stable and consistent with previous years, and said it is celebrating improvements in this round of EQAO scores.

One measure among many

The board emphasized that EQAO assessments are only one measure of learning. It said the provincial data is combined with report card grades, classroom observations, assignments and evaluations throughout the year to give schools a fuller picture of student needs and to guide instruction.

That combined data helps schools identify the supports students require and informs teaching practices, the board said.

A shared goal for every school

Reducing the achievement gap in literacy and numeracy between students with and without special education needs remains a key priority for the board, it said.

In the 2026-2027 school year, every school in the board will share a common School Improvement Goal focused on closing that gap through evidence-based instructional practices, targeted supports and aligned professional learning.

To back the effort, the board will offer professional learning sessions for Grade 3 and Grade 6 teachers, Grade 9 mathematics teachers, Grade 10 English teachers, principals and senior administrators, centred on effective literacy and numeracy instruction and intervention.

New assessments and tutoring

Common assessments in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10 will be administered through the Wayground digital platform, which the board said will help identify student needs and allow for timely intervention.

Tutoring opportunities will also be offered in elementary schools to address achievement gaps as they are identified.

Targeted support will continue through the board's Literacy Intervention Teachers, along with an enhanced Math Intervention Teacher model that serves both ministry-identified priority schools and other schools that need extra assistance.

School leaders will keep analyzing EQAO results, report card data and screening information to spot trends, monitor progress and adjust instructional strategies, according to the Durham Catholic District School Board. Successful practices will be shared across the system to help strengthen achievement in all schools.

The board said the insights from EQAO data, together with other assessment and evaluation information, will continue to shape school and system improvement work aimed at enhancing student learning and well-being.

Families who want to dig into the numbers can find individual school, board and provincial results on the EQAO website.