Raise your hand, raise your grade: Why participation matters this fall

Assumption High School students in Windsor, Ont. are among the thousands participating in Student Vote Ontario. (Michelle Maluske/CTV News Windsor)

Ontario’s Education Minister has launched a new province-wide digital learning platform which will be implements across Ontario classrooms starting this fall.

As part of the new curriculum, high school students are encouraged to raise their hand, answer questions, and participate in classroom discussions starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

“I think this is a good idea,” said Roman, Gr. 9.

“The more you participate the more you understand the material more,” said Jack, Gr. 10.

“This will encourage people to raise your hand and try,” said Mateo, Gr. 10.

“I don’t like it at all,” said one student. “It’s not good. It’s not useful. It’s not helpful.”

“I’m a shy person and I don’t like talking to people,” said another.

New report card grading system for the 2026-2027 school year:

Grades 9 and 10:

65% Class work

20% Mandatory final evaluations / written exams

15% Attendance and participation

Grades 11 and 12:

65% Class work

25% Mandatory final evaluations / written exams

10% Attendance and participation

Education Minister Paul Calandra also said Monday the province is spending $60 million to equip teachers for Grades 1 to 12 with a digital learning platform - Nelson Education’s Edwin platform.

“If you’re a teacher, doesn’t matter what grade K to 12, you need a lesson plan. It can help you develop a lesson plan or give you a lesson plan that has been approved by the Ministry of Education,” explained Calandra. “The classrooms are so different now. The teacher might have 25 kids in the class and five of the students might have an independent or individualized education plan. It’s five different curriculums that a teacher needs. And this really, really helps.”

Calandra also said that when it comes to banning cellphones for students in schools, he’s encouraged by a recent trip to Quebec where a ban is in effect.

“Kids were talking with each other. They were playing cards. And as you walked through the hallways to tour the school, the same thing. There was nobody on phones, very engaged,” he told reporters, adding that he saw “kids playing again” in the schoolyard.