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Ontario’s Math Struggles Spark Provincial Review of Student Testing

Ontario’s latest standardized test results reveal that math achievement remains a serious concern across the province , with many students failing to meet expected benchmarks. The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released its 2024–2025 assessment data this week, showing that only 51% of Grade 6 students and 58% of Grade 9 students met the provincial math standard , while Grade 3 students fared slightly better at 64%. Despite modest improvements compared to previous years, the results underscore a persistent gap in student performance. Education Minister Paul Calandra acknowledged that progress has been too slow, announcing the creation of a two-member advisory body to review Ontario’s approach to standardized testing and curriculum delivery . The review will examine whether current teaching strategies, resources, and assessment methods are effectively supporting student learning. The EQAO results also highlighted disparities among student groups and school boards ,...

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Inflation Jitters Rattle Markets: Dow Plunges 500 Points

U.S. stock markets were gripped by turbulence today as investors grappled with a hotter-than-expected January inflation report. The data revealed that prices cooled at a slower pace than anticipated, sending shockwaves through Wall Street.

Here are the Numbers

  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) plummeted 1.4%, shedding approximately 500 points.
  • The S&P 500 (GSPC) followed suit, experiencing a similar drop.
  • The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) led the day’s sharp declines, closing down 1.8%.

Impact of Inflation

  • The Consumer Price Index (CPI) release for January showed “core” prices increased by 0.4%, marking the largest monthly gain since April 2023.
  • On a headline basis, prices surged 3.1%, surpassing economist estimates but decelerating from December’s 3.4% annual gain.

Bitcoin’s Comeback

  • Meanwhile, the price of Bitcoin (BTC-USD) hovered below $50,000 after breaching this closely watched level for the first time since 2021.

Market Fallout

  • It was the worst day for both the Nasdaq and S&P 500 since January 31, while the Dow experienced its most significant decline since March 2022.
  • Small caps also suffered, with the Russell 2000 (RUT) closing at its lowest level since June 2022.

As investors recalibrate their expectations, uncertainty looms over the path forward. Will the Federal Reserve’s next move address these inflationary pressures? Only time will tell.


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