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.
On this page
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:
Data Access
EQAO makes available the following data definitions for each type of data file for public use:
Aggregated Student Results
School and board identifiers are included in these files since they contain only information that is available in school and board reports on the EQAO Web site. These files contain some demographic data and student achievement data for subgroups such as males and females, English language learners, students with special needs and those at different levels of study.
Student achievement results aggregated at the school, board and provincial levels for the following assessments
Individual Item Results for Students
Student, school and board identifiers have been removed from these files. These records contain generated student, class and school identifiers that enable links between the student records in these files and the teacher and principal records in the files described below. These generated identifiers will not enable the identification of any individual or school and therefore are not linkable to aggregate achievement results.
Student-level individual item results for the following assessments
Student Demographic Data and Questionnaire Responses
Student, school and board identifiers have been removed from these files. These records contain generated student, class and school identifiers that enable links between the student records in these files and the teacher and principal records in the files described below. These generated identifiers will not enable the identification of any individual or school and therefore are not linkable to aggregate achievement results.
Grade 6 student data records include Grade 3 achievement results when available.
Student-level achievement results, demographic information and questionnaire responses for the following assessments:
Teacher and Principal Questionnaire Responses
Teacher, principal, school and board identifiers have been removed from these data files.
Individual teacher questionnaire responses for the following assessments
Individual principal questionnaire responses for the following assessments
EQAO Data Portal Access
Requestors can access these EQAO data files through the EQAO Data Portal. Access is limited to files containing information from which names, Ontario Education Numbers and other personal identifiers have been removed.
After downloading and completing the appropriate application form from below, please e-mail it to [email protected]. Once the application is approved by EQAO, you will receive an e-mail with instructions to access the posted data files.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests
Requestors requiring data not contained in the files provided through the EQAO Data Portal may wish to request these data through EQAO’s Freedom of Information (FOI) request process. Please note that there is a charge for this service. Once your FOI data request has been received and analyzed and it has been established by an EQAO director that the data requested is not infringing upon student, teacher or principal privacy or confidentiality, you will receive a cost estimate from EQAO. The data files will be processed and provided as soon as possible.
Download and complete the FOI Access or Correction Request Form [PDF] and send it to the address below:
Attn: Director of Corporate and Public Affairs
Education Quality and Accountability Office
Suite 1200, 2 Carlton Street
Toronto ON M5B 2M9
To learn more about EQAO research, contact the EQAO Information Centre:
Tel.: 1-888-327-7377
E-mail: [email protected]
More to explore
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
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