French Immersion High School Graduation Rate Hits 69.4%

New Brunswick lowers literacy targets amid student performance declines, education ministry says

New Brunswick’s government has revised downward its literacy proficiency targets for French immersion students after data showed only 69.4 percent met grade-level expectations in reading by the fourth year of immersion, according to an interview with Education Minister Dominic Cardy. The province now aims for 65 percent proficiency by 2027—down from a previous target of 75 percent—raising questions about the sustainability of its bilingual education model amid declining scores.

The revised target follows provincial assessment results released earlier this month, which placed New Brunswick’s French immersion program below the national average for similar programs in Canada. According to Radio-Canada, the province’s fourth-year immersion cohort scored 69.4 percent in reading proficiency, a drop of 3.2 percentage points from 2024. The ministry cited “challenges in teacher training, class sizes, and student engagement” as key factors contributing to the decline.

Why did New Brunswick lower its literacy targets?

The decision reflects a broader trend in Canadian education systems where provinces are adjusting expectations in response to post-pandemic learning losses and shifting demographics. In 2023, Ontario reduced its Grade 3 literacy benchmark after only 62 percent of students met the standard, while Quebec’s education ministry reported a 5 percent drop in French proficiency among elementary students between 2022 and 2025. New Brunswick’s adjustment aligns with these shifts but stands out for its explicit focus on immersion programs, which are critical to the province’s bilingual identity.

Minister Cardy told Radio-Canada that the revised target “reflects a more realistic assessment of current conditions” while acknowledging the program’s importance. “We’re not lowering expectations out of failure,” he said, “but because we need to ensure our resources match what students actually need.” The ministry has committed to investing an additional CAD 12 million over three years in French-language teacher training and curriculum support, though critics argue the funding falls short of addressing systemic issues like under-resourced rural schools.

How do New Brunswick’s scores compare to other Canadian provinces?

New Brunswick’s 69.4 percent proficiency rate in fourth-year French immersion lags behind Alberta’s 78 percent and Nova Scotia’s 74 percent, according to 2025 Pan-Canadian Assessment Program data. The gap is particularly stark in rural areas, where only 62 percent of immersion students met grade-level standards compared to 76 percent in urban centers. Education analysts point to New Brunswick’s reliance on part-time immersion teachers—a practice more common in rural districts—as a contributing factor.

The province’s performance also contrasts with its neighboring Quebec, where 82 percent of students in similar programs met reading benchmarks in 2024. Quebec’s success has been attributed to stricter teacher certification requirements and a more centralized curriculum. New Brunswick’s education system, by contrast, operates under a decentralized model with significant variation between school districts.

What comes next for New Brunswick’s French immersion program?

The ministry has outlined three immediate steps to address the decline:

1. Expanded teacher training: A new pilot program will require immersion teachers to complete an additional 30 hours of French-language pedagogy annually, starting in September 2026.
2. Curriculum review: A task force of linguists and educators will reassess the fourth-year immersion curriculum by December 2026, with potential adjustments to reading materials and assessment methods.
3. Parent engagement: The ministry will launch a provincewide survey in August to gather feedback on immersion program challenges, though no timeline has been set for implementing changes based on the results.

Critics, including the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association, have called for deeper reforms. “Lowering targets isn’t a solution—it’s an admission of failure,” said association president Marie-Claude Thériault in a statement. “We need smaller class sizes, more native French-speaking teachers, and a commitment to equity in funding between urban and rural schools.”

The province’s decision has also sparked debate among policymakers about the future of bilingual education in Canada. While some argue that adjusted targets allow for more achievable goals, others warn that continued declines could erode public trust in immersion programs—a cornerstone of New Brunswick’s cultural policy. The next provincial assessment, scheduled for 2027, will be closely watched to determine whether the new target is met or if further revisions are needed.

Key figures and dates

• Current proficiency rate: 69.4 percent (down from 72.6 percent in 2024)
• New target: 65 percent by 2027 (previously 75 percent)
• Funding commitment: CAD 12 million over three years for teacher training and curriculum support
• Next assessment: 2027
• Parent survey launch: August 2026
• Curriculum review deadline: December 2026

Sources: Radio-Canada interview with Education Minister Dominic Cardy (June 20, 2026); Pan-Canadian Assessment Program data (2025); New Brunswick Teachers’ Association statement (June 19, 2026); Quebec Ministry of Education reports (2024).