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​​.

Information Literacy Competency Standards for Students: A Measure of the Effectiveness of Information Literacy Initiatives in Higher Education

Research Summary: No Simple Solution for Improving Students’ Research and Critical Evaluation Skills The ability to locate, evaluate and accurately utilize complex information, often referred to as information literacy, is a critical skill for success in school, work and life. A new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) recommends colleges and […]

The Impact of Scholarships and Bursaries on Persistence and Academic Success in University

Research Summary: University Entrance Scholarships Show Limited Results Improving Student Success While entrance scholarships and bursaries may attract stronger students to a particular university, a new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) finds that these types of financial aids have limited use in promoting student success. The study found that first-year […]

Postsecondary Education Participation of Under-represented Groups in Ontario: Evidence from the SLID Data

Research Summary: Research confirms parental education matters most  When it comes to pursuing postsecondary education (PSE), parental education matters more than family income, according to a new report from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). While university participation is greater for youth from higher-income families, those with at least one university-educated parent are […]

Ontario postsecondary system must increase productivity to maintain quality

While Ontario’s colleges and universities are already quite productive, constrained resources and increased demand mean the system must increase productivity to maintain quality, according to a preliminary report by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). The report, The Productivity of the Ontario Public Postsecondary System, was initiated at the request of the provincial government to […]

@ Issue Paper No. 13 A Report on the Postsecondary Decisions of High-Achieving Students in Ontario

Research Summary: Ontario’s Top High School Students Plan Early for Postsecondary Education  The top students in Ontario secondary schools begin planning for postsecondary education (PSE) earlier than their classmates and are drawn to science and engineering over business and the arts according to a new report by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO).  […]

Work-Integrated Learning and Postsecondary Graduates: The Perspective of Ontario Employers

Research Summary: New HEQCO survey: Employers want graduates with relevant work experience One of the first things employers look for when hiring graduates of Ontario’s colleges and universities is relevant work experience, according to a new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). The lesson for students: from summer jobs to volunteering, […]