BUILDING BETTER FUTURES

Creating and mobilizing evidence-informed inclusive early years, child, education, and job training policies.

Developing resilient futures for children and families in Canada.

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ABOUT US: We are…

Data Driven

We study how policies, organizational practices and curricula contribute to inequities in early childhood education and care (ECEC), formal education, and youth training. We do this using our expertise in working with administrative and survey data, along with state–of–the–art data analytics. We are skilled at using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. We embrace the possibilities in using technology, including AI, in answering research questions.

Better analysis of inequities and evaluation of programs and practices can highlight key shortcomings in service delivery. Investigating these important questions using a range of methods can better inform policymakers about why it is important to invest in ECEC, childhood education and youth training in Canada.

Equity focused

Our goal is to enhance program and policy development to decrease inequities in education. Our objectives are to recognize and address the intertwined identities and experiences shaping children and youth’s educational and developmental landscapes in Canada.

ECEC, education, and youth training inequities in Canada reflect disparities rooted in many factors, such as, but not limited to: socioeconomic status, race, geography, gender and sexual identity and orientation, disability, and culture.

In planning for evolving futures in a rapidly changing world, policies and programs must account for changing content and curriculum needs, while also paying attention to inequalities faced by developing learners and their families.

Community Engaged

Our researchers identify ways to support children and youth in ECEC, childhood education, and youth training systems. We work in direct partnership with organizations across Canada, helping them improve their programs and services, and advocate for vital change.

Many organizations involved in ECEC, education, and youth training are keen to understand inequities, develop ways to decrease them, and institute policies to promote equity. However, organizations alone do not typically have capacity, expertise or resources to carry out in-depth research in addition to providing important services.

We work with groups directly to analyze and understand their specific equity issues, pilot and test new ways to help, and develop effective policy to formalize important change.

Directors

Researchers

STUDENTS (TO DATE)

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

OUR MODEL: Bridging the gap

We work to bridge the gap between academic research and on-the-ground practice. WE connect partner institutions, design and test interventions, train students and staff, and mobilize knowledge.

SEe Below for Video examples of Some of projects in progress by our Research teamS.

OUR MODEL IN ACTION

Connect partner institutions and researchers to identify, inform and shape applied research questions related to equity in education and training in Canada.
Design and test interventions with researchers and organizations to develop equitable programs and services for children and families.
Train students and staff from partner organizations in research skills such as data analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methods, evaluation, and evidence-based policy development. We seek to prepare a new generation of leaders in this area.
Mobilize knowledge from the collaborative research to broader education and policy communities, in ways that are meaningful to the audiences we serve.

Recent Work

Both Me and My Daughter Would Cry Sometimes: Parents’ and Children’s Experiences with Home Education During the Early and Later COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented disruptions to children’s education across the globe, including abrupt transitions from in-person learning to learning from home. The current study investigates patterns of change in the educational challenges that 453...

Economic Gains from Early Childhood Education and Care: The Role of Workforce Participation

The benefits of high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) for children, such as increased cognitive and social-emotional development, are well-known and documented. However, ECEC also provides economic benefits for caregivers and society by supporting...

Creating a Positive Learning Environment: Considering Students with Disabilities, Teacher Qualifications, and Classroom Structures

Ample research investigates returns to teacher preparation and other instructional inputs for the general student population, yet evidence is lacking for students with disabilities (SWDs). This study uses North Carolina data to estimate achievement returns to teacher...

Conceptualizing and Operationalizing Creativity in Early Childhood Education and Care: A Scoping Review

Creativity has been identified as one of the most important skills of the 21st century. The development of creativity begins at an early age. Given that most children attend early childhood education and care (ECEC) during this critical developmental period, it is...

Promoting equity in hiring: An evaluation of the HireNext Job Posting Assessment

The language used in job postings can deter applicants and contribute to the employment gap, which refers to high rates of youth unemployment occurring simultaneously with high levels of job vacancies. We tested youth preferences for job postings modified using a free...

Redefining Learning After COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives and how organizations serve their communities, especially newcomers to Canada. In response to these challenges, organizations in the Greater Toronto Area, including Catholic Cross-cultural Services (CCS), have moved their...

Beyond the mask: Decoding children’s mental health patterns amidst COVID-19 and the role of parenting

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on children and families worldwide. Children’s mental health has been at the forefront of pandemic research, with several observational studies documenting its decline. Limited person-centred research exists, however,...

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CONNECT WITH US

Whether you’re interested in connecting with a researcher to help your organization, wanting to join our research group as a student, or connect with someone for a media opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

How can I learn more about the work that you do?

Read About Us to get a sense of the research team and their various backgrounds. Visit Recent Work to get a sense of what our team has been producing lately.

I’d like to get involved! What’s the next step?

That’s great! If you’re an organization looking to partner with our team or an individual interested in more information, email us, and our admin staff will reply with some follow up questions to explore the next best steps.

I’m from a media organization and would like to connect with a member of your team.

Amazing. We’re happy to connect you. Please email us and our admin team will connect you with the appropriate researcher.

What organizations have you worked with in the past?

Here are a few of our current and past partners: BC Ministry of Education, BC Stats, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canadian Childcare Federation, Canadian Children’s Literacy Foundation, Canadian Research Data Centre Network, Catholic Cross Cultural Services, Education Quality and Accountability Office, Human Early Learning Partnership, Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, Laval University, Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, McMaster University, Midaynta Community Services, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Offord Centre for Child Studies, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), People for Education, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation, School of Early Childhood at George Brown College, Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, Statistics Canada, Toronto Children’s Services, and the Toronto District School Board.