Phase 1: The curriculum review process
All subjects and disciplines in the Ontario curriculum are reviewed for possible revision in a timely and consistent way to ensure that the curriculum remains current, relevant and inclusive, including reflecting the needs, abilities and aspirations of learners and the diversity of the Ontario population.
The curriculum review cycle
Beginning in 2024, the ministry is phasing in a five-year curriculum review cycle. Each curriculum is reviewed approximately every five years, and every year a team of ministry staff with subject matter and education expertise reviews a group of curricula to ensure that the curriculum content is current. This includes ensuring that each curriculum reflects current research and pedagogical practices, responds to current and future market, economic and workforce needs and conditions, and is aligned with provincial priorities. Consideration will also be given to alignment of learning between curriculum areas; age, grade and developmental appropriateness of learning; and whether the curriculum is supported by strong results in Ontario Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessments, as applicable.
Based on its review, the ministry determines if revisions are recommended. When revisions are recommended, the associated timelines and the recommended type of revision are outlined. If revisions are not recommended for a given curriculum, it is placed back in the review cycle.
Types of revision
Based on the outcomes of the review described above, the ministry recommends to the Minister of Education the scope of revision for each curriculum under review. There are four main options:
- Comprehensive revision. With a comprehensive revision, the identified curriculum undergoes a thorough revision of all areas of learning within a subject and/or discipline.
- Focused revision. With a focused revision, only certain aspects of an identified curriculum are revised, such as specific new learning, terminology or teacher supports. This type of revision may include similar steps to those in the comprehensive revision, but only for a particular section of the curriculum, such as a specific learning topic.
- Curriculum implementation resources are updated. With this option, the identified curriculum does not undergo revision. The ministry creates or funds the development of new or updated resources for the ongoing implementation of the curriculum.
- No revision at this time. The identified curriculum does not undergo revision. The curriculum is placed back in the review cycle.
The ministry updates the Curriculum and Resources website to communicate upcoming curriculum revisions.
