Dear, Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers.
As we begin another school year, we would like to share with you some changes related to Assessment and Evaluation in Secondary Schools. In June 2026, Ontario’s Ministry of Education made some changes to the document Growing Success. These changes impact attendance and participation in all Secondary Schools in Ontario.
What you need to know
In Grades 9 & 10, a student’s final mark will be based on:
65% course work completed throughout the course,
15% attendance and participation,
20% for mandatory final evaluations/exams.
In Grades 11 & 12, a student’s final mark will be based on:
65% for course work completed throughout the course,
10% for attendance and participation,
25% for mandatory final evaluations/exams.
Mandatory Exams
Written final exams for Grades 9 through 12 must take place during designated official exam periods for most subjects.
Examination dates:
Semester One: January 26, 2027 to January 29, 2027 (inclusive)
Semester Two: June 22, 2027 to June 28, 2027 (inclusive)
NOTE: The EQAO Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics counts as the written exam for the MTH1W course and makes up 20% of the student’s mark.
Courses exempt from mandatory written exams:
The following courses are exempt from mandatory written exam policy:
Grades 9 and 10 locally developed compulsory credit courses (LDCC)
Grades 11 and 12 workplace preparation courses (E courses)
Grades 11 and 12 open courses (O courses)
Subject areas exempt from mandatory written exams:
Guidance and Career Education, except for Grade 10 Career Studies (GLC2O)
Co-operative Education
Interdisciplinary Studies
American Sign Language as a Second Language
These courses require a final evaluation (worth 20% for Grades 9 -10 and worth 25% for Grades 11-12) that do not require mandatory written exams but may include in-class written evaluations or other final evaluations such as projects, presentations and portfolios.
Attendance and participation
To recognize the impact that student presence in class has on achievement, final student grades will reflect attendance and participation. Excused absences do not negatively affect a student’s mark. Excused absences are absences from school that are permitted under legislation or Board policy. All schools will record your student’s absence in the following manner:
Unverified | This occurs when a student is absent and the school has not received a report or explanation from a parent, guardian, or adult student. These are treated as regular, unexcused absences. |
Verified | The school has received communication from a parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence. While the school has "verified" the reason, the absence may not meet the specific criteria set by the Ministry or Board to be classified as "excused." These are typically coded as regular absences and may still impact the attendance and participation portion of the student's grade. |
Excused | These are absences that meet specific criteria under legislation (coded as 'G'). Because they are officially excused, they do not negatively affect the student's attendance and participation grade. |
Our Human Rights Commitment
Every Day Counts and every student’s circumstances matter.
We will work with students and families to understand and address barriers, consider accommodation needs, provide accessible ways to participate and support continued learning and re-engagement.
UGDSB will uphold the Ontario Human Rights Code and accommodate Code-related needs.
Students and families are encouraged to speak with the classroom teacher, guidance counsellor, school administrator or another trusted staff member when circumstances affect attendance or participation.
Every Day Counts
Every student’s path is different. By working together, identifying barriers early and providing the right support, we can help every student participate, succeed and move confidently toward their future.