Research Program
Our research program provides valuable objective data about student achievement.

Research Framework
At EQAO, we believe discussions about education quality need to be evidence-informed and grounded in research. EQAO recognizes the need for a continued focus on research to examine effective high-quality educational experiences that support student achievement at the individual, classroom, school and system levels—that is why EQAO has established the #DataInAction Research Framework.
The main objective of our #DataInAction research framework is to ensure our data are used for their primary purpose—improved student learning. This is why we are currently accepting research proposals that leverage our data or seek to collaborate with the agency with the goal of furthering student achievement.
EQAO Statistical Standards
EQAO aligns with Statistics Canada in recognizing “statistical standards” as a set of rules that describe how data are collected and how statistics and results are produced and shared. Statistical standards are used to provide data insights on specific topics and the learning experiences of groups of students. The standards also ensure consistency in data quality over time.
EQAO’s Data Quality Framework
EQAO’s Data Quality Framework provides systematic and methodological rigour to the agency’s data quality validation processes. EQAO’s data quality processes use clearly defined guidelines, business rules, methodologies and protocols to ensure that data quality is maintained at all stages, including for the collection, processing and analyzing of educational data, and for the reporting and sharing of results.
Research Partners
EQAO is pleased to partner with the following organizations:
More to explore

Research Report
EQAO Fall #DataInAction Symposium 2024
School board staff from across the province joined EQAO for its fourth #DataInAction symposium to discuss key trends in mathematics achievement. Learn more in this summary.

Research Brief
Multilingual Student Achievement in Ontario’s English-Language Boards
This research brief explores the academic achievement of multilingual students in Ontario’s English-language boards between the 2009– 2010 and 2018 – 2019 school years.

Research Brief
Reciprocal Relationship Between Math Self-Concept and Math Achievement Over Time
Research has consistently shown a strong connection between students’ academic self-concept and their academic achievement.

Research Brief
Planning for Mathematics Learning Renewal Amongst Ontario’s Elementary Students: Comparing Item-Level Student Performance Pre- and Post-Pandemic
How were Ontario students faring in their mathematics learning?

Research Brief
EQAO’s Online Assessment Platform: Student Comfort, Achievement and Perceptions
EQAO investigated these questions using the 2022–2023 EQAO assessment and student questionnaire data.

Infographics: Research
Exploring Demographic Factors That Are Related to Belonging
Perceptions of belonging and inclusion among students in French-language secondary schools in Ontario

Infographics: Research
What Predicts a Sense of School Connectedness?
Secondary school student well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Infographics: Research
Literacy Trends in Ontario at a Glance
Some observations from EQAO’s 2018–2019 data

Infographics: Research
Math Trends in Ontario at a Glance
Some observations from EQAO’s 2018–2019 data