The Estonian Ministry of Education and Research has announced a significant proposal to reform the grading system in primary schools, aiming to replace numerical grades with verbal assessments in lower grades. This change is motivated by the desire to aid students from non-Estonian speaking families who might struggle due to language barriers. The ministry is also planning to implement a system of constructive assessment rather than graded evaluations in art, technology, and physical education subjects, effectively shifting the focus from grades to feedback.

In line with these reforms, the ministry is looking to increase the volume of elective courses within the curriculum. However, the ministry believes that this expansion will require adjustments from other areas of the curriculum, indicating that resources may be reallocated to accommodate these new electives. The first version of the new curriculum is set to be presented to teachers in August, with the aim of official adoption by the year 2035.

Jüri Käosaar, the principal of Tallinn's Gustav Adolf Gymnasium, has already begun implementing principles of formative assessment in grades 1 to 3. He explains that instead of giving grades, teachers provide both oral and written feedback that acknowledges students' progress while also addressing areas needing improvement. This approach intends to create a more supportive learning environment that prioritizes communication over traditional metrics of success, setting a precedent for how education in Estonia may evolve in the future.