May 14th, 2024

The following message is shared on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Education.

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The Ministry of Education provides school boards with Core Education Funding designed to deliver publicly funded education throughout the province.

This funding supports the operation of schools, including:

  • Student achievement and well-being
  • Special education
  • Mental health
  • School safety

The amount of funding school boards receive is based on information reported to the Ministry such as the number of students enrolled. School boards have some flexibility to spend funding according to the needs of their local schools and programs. And finally, with changes under the recent Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023, new standards have been set. These lay out how school boards are required to report how the funding is spent for greater transparency and accountability.

How funding is allocated

Core Education Funding consists of the following six funds:

  1. Classroom Staffing Fund
    • Supports teachers and early childhood educators
  2. Learning Resources Fund
    • Supports:
      • The costs of staffing typically required outside of the classroom
      • The costs for classroom learning materials and equipment
      • The mental health and wellness of students
      • Staff and programs to help students facing barriers to success
      • Academic success and well-being of Indigenous students
      • Inclusive education, student well-being, student safety as well as other priorities and programs
  3. Special Education Fund
    • Supports positive outcomes for students with special needs who may need more programs, services and/or equipment
      • This is the primary source of funding for educational assistants
  4. School Facilities Fund
    • Supports the operations, maintenance, renovations and renewal of school buildings
      • Additional support for students in rural and northern communities
  5. Student Transportation Fund
    • Supports transportation of students between home and school
  6. School Board Administration Fund
    • Supports:
      • Trustees and administration costs to operate school boards
      • Family and caregiver engagement activities

Rounding out Core Education Funding, there is also funding through Responsive Education Programs. This funding supports identified government priorities, such as:

  • School Math facilitators who:
    • Work directly with students who require additional support
    • Work with teachers to strengthen their math-related instructional practices
  • Teachers to support reading interventions for students between Senior Kindergarten and Grade 3 who may benefit from extra support

Funding for building, expanding and renewing schools is provided through Capital Funding.

For more information visit ontario.ca/SchoolFunding.