Ontario Schools Tie Attendance to Grades | Toronto News

Toronto News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 29, 2026 · 1m

Ontario’s education minister is cracking down on absenteeism by tying attendance directly to final grades—15% for grades 9-10, 10% for 11-12—with penalties for more than two unexcused absences. While excused absences like illness or religious holidays still count, the minister warns against turning sports tournaments into regular excused absences. With Ontario’s high school attendance rates among the worst nationally, the policy aims to prioritize education over extracurriculars—even for elite athletes, who may get allowances but still must come first. Parents are urged to keep kids in class…