Publications

HEQCO conducts and commissions studies and evaluations, often in partnership with Ontario’s colleges and universities, on key issues in accessibility, quality and accountability. Various organizations and individuals have considerable and valuable expertise in postsecondary education research. The research publications below reflect this collaboration with some of the best thinkers on issues related to higher education. Join our mailing list and keep current with the latest HEQCO research.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At HEQCO, we are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. To request HEQCO material in alternate formats, please contact info@heqco.ca​​.

Assessing Graduate Teaching Development Programs for Impact on Future Faculty

Research Summary: Long-term training programs for teaching assistants have greater impact Training programs for university teaching assistants (TAs) improve the quality of teaching and learning. But a new HEQCO study of short and long-term training programs at two Ontario universities finds that while both make important contributions, long programs had a greater impact. Assessing Graduate […]

Intentions For and Outcomes Following a Decade of Government Investment in Graduate Education

Research Summary: ​Assessing government investment in graduate education: address the data gaps  Over the past decade, the federal and some provincial governments have made considerable investments in graduate education. But while available data identify enrollment trends, there is a notable lack of data on other important aspects of graduate education such as employment outcomes, according […]

@ Issue Paper No. 16 Making the Grade? Troubling Trends in Postsecondary Student Literacy

Research Summary: Troubling Trends in Postsecondary Student Literacy Ontario students headed to college or university might not have the literacy skills they need to be successful, according to a new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). “The timing is especially problematic given that strong literacy skills are critical to students as […]

Non-Traditional Postsecondary Education Pathways of Adult Learners in the Toronto District School Board: Evaluating the Influence of Individual and Neighbourhood Characteristics

Research Summary: Adult learners overwhelmingly plan to attend college, but far fewer actually enroll Like many school boards, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) offers continuing education options to assist adult learners as they develop the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue postsecondary education (PSE). A new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of […]

Writing Instruction Using an Online Assignment Planner

Research Summary: Integrating Online Writing Assistance into the Classroom Creates Challenges In an effort to improve writing skills, the Writing Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University developed a series of free online resources and tools for students. However, a recent study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) found that even when integrated into […]

Developing Teaching Assistants as Members of the University Teaching Team

Research Summary: Teaching assistants (and their students) benefit from formal training programs Formal training programs for teaching assistants (TAs) inform their teaching practices and can lead to improved student learning experiences according to a new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. Developing Teaching Assistants as Members of the University Teaching Team  examined two […]