Research

Providing useful, objective and reliable data for every student to succeed

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Winter EQAO #DataInAction Symposium

The winter 2026 #DataInAction symposium report shows the importance of research partnerships and how data can support student well‑being.

Grade 3

Grade 6

Grade 9

OSSLT

Symposium

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Tracking Pathways in Mathematics Achievement: EQAO Cohort Results from 2021–2022 to 2024–2025

Students’ pathways in mathematics achievement based on attendance at a priority or non-priority school.

Grade 3

Grade 6

Grade 9

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Strengths and Growth Opportunities for Grade 3 Students Who Achieved Level 2 on the Math Component in 2022–2023

Information on students’ math strengths and growth opportunities.

Grade 3

Strands and Skills

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Strengths and Growth Opportunities for Grade 6 Students Who Achieved Level 2 on the Math Component in 2022–2023

Information regarding mathematical strength and growth opportunities.

Grade 6

Strands and Skills

Illustration of a pie chart in purple hues with a magnifying glass focused on part of the chart.

Strengths and Growth Opportunities for Grade 9 Students Who Achieved Level 2 on the 2022–2023 Assessment

Information regarding mathematical strength and growth opportunities.

Grade 9

Strands and Skills

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Tracking Pathways in Mathematics Achievement: EQAO Cohort Results from 2021–2022 to 2024–2025

The study analyzes how students are faring in math as they progress through school.

Grade 6

Grade 9

Trends

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Making Gains: Insight from Ontario School Boards with Consistent Improvement in EQAO Mathematics Achievement

School boards share plans that contributed to their students’ improved math results.

Assessments

Grade 3

Grade 6

Grade 9

From Questions to Scores: How Item Response Theory (IRT) Enhances EQAO Assessments

Learn how EQAO data can be used to better understand student learning.

Grade 3

Grade 6

Grade 9

OSSLT

EQAO #DataInAction Spring Symposium

On May 22, 2024, EQAO welcomed school board staff to its third #DataInAction symposium. EQAO presented research focused on students who achieved Level 2 on EQAO’s 2022–2023 Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics, as well as presentations from various school board teams.

Symposium

EQAO #DataInAction Symposium

On November 23, 2023, EQAO held its second virtual #DataInAction symposium for school board leads working in research and data analytics. Participants engaged in conversations dedicated to mathematics.

Symposium

Student Achievement on the Mathematics Curriculum Strands: Results from the 2021–2022 Primary- and Junior-Division and Grade 9 Assessments

This EQAO study explores Ontario students’ achievement, particularly at Levels 2 and 3, on the mathematics curriculum strands as assessed by the mathematics components of the EQAO primary- and junior-division assessments and the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.

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

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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.

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?

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.

Student Achievement on Mathematics Categories of Knowledge and Skills, 2021–2022: Research Brief

In this research brief, EQAO takes a look at Grades 3, 6 and 9 Ontario students’ strengths and needs in mathematics, and how achievement on the curriculum categories of knowledge and skills relates to meeting the overall curriculum expectations.

Student Achievement on the Mathematics Curriculum Strands: Results from the 2021–2022 Primary- and Junior-Division and Grade 9 Assessments

This EQAO study explores Ontario students’ achievement, particularly at Levels 2 and 3, on the mathematics curriculum strands as assessed by the mathematics components of the EQAO primary- and junior-division assessments and the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics.

EQAO #DataInAction Symposium

On May 25 and 30, 2023, EQAO held its first virtual #DataInAction symposium for school board leads working in research, data analytics and planning. Participants engaged in conversations about their work with education data, including EQAO data.

Math Superpowers

Is mathematics achievement all about the math, or can students advance their math achievement by empowering themselves as math students? EQAO research suggests that positive attitudes and strategies support success.

EQAO’s Online Assessment Platform: Student Comfort, Achievement and Perceptions

EQAO investigated these questions using the 2022–2023 EQAO assessment and student questionnaire data.

Student Achievement on Mathematics Curriculum Strands, 2021–2022: Research Brief

In this research brief, EQAO takes a look at Grades 3, 6 and 9 Ontario students’ strengths and needs in mathematics, and how achievement on the curriculum strands relates to meeting the overall curriculum expectations.

Student Achievement on the Mathematics Curriculum Strands, 2021–2022: Implications for Instructional Planning

This document, based on the findings of EQAO’s study on student achievement on mathematics strands, provides information to educators on possible cross-strand connections and suggestions for implications for instruction that may impact planning. The research provides areas of focus within a grade or from grade to grade.

Strands and Skills

Multi-Stage Computer Adaptive Tests (msCATs)

Multi-stage computer adaptive tests (msCATs) present many benefits to students, parents and guardians, and educators.

A Close Look at Mathematics—Highlights

A Close Look at Mathematics is a series that focuses on EQAO data and research on mathematics with the intent of fostering discussions about student supports and strategies for mathematics learning at the classroom, school, board and provincial levels.

A Close Look at Mathematics Series—Volume 1

This research volume provides an in-depth review and compilation of EQAO data and insights from 2011 to 2019, demonstrating the importance of examining learning contexts to gain a better understanding of mathematics achievement in Ontario.

What Do You Want Next Year’s Teacher to Know About You?

EQAO asked students from across the province the question “What do you want next year’s teacher to know about you?” In the responses of 28 students, there is consensus on three key themes.

Literature Review: Leveraging Multi-Stage Computer Adaptive Testing for Large-Scale Assessments

EQAO is transforming Ontario’s approach to large-scale assessments.

What Engages Students, in Their Own Words

We can learn a lot about students and their perspectives by listening to their needs, wants and successes.

EQAO’s Research program

As part of EQAO’s commitment to providing objective, reliable and useful data about student achievement, the agency has an active research program that undertakes a number of original projects.

Learn about our research program

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