Release: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
September 08, 2026
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Provincial assessment results for the 2025-26 school year in both the anglophone and francophone education sectors have been compiled and released.
“We conduct annual assessments of students across the province to evaluate how the education system is working,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “Sharing our results ensures transparency and accountability and helps us pinpoint areas where we are performing well and areas where we need to improve.”
Key findings of the assessment results include:
Anglophone sector
- Despite slight declines, elementary school assessment results remained stable overall.
- Middle school reading and math assessments remained stable, however there was a decline in Grade 8 science.
- Results of the Grade 9 English-language proficiency assessment were comparable to last year’s.
Francophone sector
- Elementary school reading and writing assessments remained relatively stable, although there was an improvement in Grade 4 writing and a decline in Grade 3 reading.
- There were declines in math assessments in grades 6 and 8, but results of the Grade 8 science assessment remained stable.
- Results of the reading and writing skills test and numeracy skills test administered in Grade 10 remained relatively stable compared to previous years.
In the anglophone sector, students are assessed in grades 4-10 and there is also a French oral proficiency assessment in Grade 12. The francophone sector conducts assessments in grades 2-4, 6-8 and 10.
The provincial assessments conducted in the 2025-26 school year were the last to be administered under the education plans introduced in 2016. New education plans for the anglophone and francophone education sectors were released by the government in June.
“We are focused on improving student outcomes and strengthening basics like literacy, numeracy and student well-being,” said Johnson. “The new education plans for both sectors are geared towards improving results in literacy and numeracy. Today’s assessments show some stability but reinforce our focus on strong basics in the classroom and reducing distractions so kids can focus on learning.”
In addition to launching new education plans, the government has made investments and policy changes to help students acquire foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. These include:
- An extra $19.3 million to hire more educational assistants in both sectors.
- $5.8 million for more academic support teachers, resource teachers and guidance counsellors.
- An increase of $7 million to deliver affordable school lunches to students across the province.
- A $2-million annual investment in the universal breakfast program.
- An update to Policy 311 (Responsible Use of Digital Technology) to promote distraction-free learning.
- ·Signed new agreements with the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and Crandall University to strengthen teacher education programs for anglophone bachelor of education students.
08-09-26
