What the Research Tells Us: How Connected North Is Making a Difference

In 2025–26, an independent evaluation conducted by Carleton University’s Public Policy and Program Evaluation team took a deep look at how the program is working and how it is supporting positive outcomes for students and teachers.

The findings are clear: Connected North is delivering high-quality learning experiences and making a positive contribution to student engagement, confidence, and long-term educational success.

A Rigorous, Independent Evaluation

Carleton University used a Contribution Analysis approach — a method designed for complex systems like education, where no single program can claim full credit for outcomes such as graduation rates. Instead of asking “Did Connected North cause this outcome?”, the evaluation asked a more realistic and meaningful question:

Is it reasonable to conclude that Connected North is making a positive contribution?

To answer this, researchers drew on multiple lines of evidence, including:

• Interviews with teachers, principals, Connected North staff, and content providers along with the Connected North program Elder in Residence
• Annual teacher, student, and content provider surveys (over 1,000 teacher responses)
• A comprehensive literature review of educational and Indigenous education research
• Analysis of Connected North performance data

Together, these sources paint a consistent picture of effectiveness.

Strong Evidence of Program Effectiveness

Teachers overwhelmingly reported that Connected North sessions help students stay engaged, curious, and motivated to learn. The final report includes an Evidence Matrix that illustrates different evaluation equations and the volume/relevance of evidence through research conducted.

Culturally Relevant, Interactive, and High-Quality by Design

The evaluation found particularly strong evidence that Connected North is being delivered as intended, with design features that reflect best practices in education.

Sessions were consistently described as:

• Culturally relevant, affirming students’ identities, experiences, and communities

“We don’t want to share something that’s not ours to share, and we don’t want to be going into the area of cultural appropriation at all…and Connected North has certainly supported us in being able to center Indigenous voices.” -Teacher interviewee

• Interactive, using inquiry-based and hands-on approaches rather than passive learning

“When students are reciprocating with conversation and answering questions, and all jumping up and all trying to get to answer questions and we’re having to shut our classroom door because our noise level is so high…It’s because they’re engaged. I think that is a testament to the whole Program.” -Teacher interviewee

• High quality, delivered by knowledgeable, well-prepared content providers

“We did a flight session with an actual pilot and having them see firsthand the knowledge that he had was great.” — Teachers’ Survey Respondent

• Strong Staff Support, teachers and content providers describe user-friendly and regularly improved scheduling platform with strong training and comprehensive assistance

“ … in the North you have to be so flexible, and you can plan everything you like. But you still have to be really super flexible, and the providers and the coordinators are so great that way.” — Teacher Interviewee

• Increased Student Interest, continuation of projects beyond scheduled time, revisiting materials, students independently exploring related topics and demonstrating sustained engagement that extended into extracurricular activities or future career aspirations.

Teachers emphasized that access to Indigenous knowledge holders and diverse role models (many of whom students would not otherwise encounter) is a core strength of the program.

Supporting Teachers Where It Matters Most

Connected North’s value is not limited to students. Teachers reported meaningful benefits as well.

• 89% of teachers felt more confident using technology as an innovative learning tool
• Many reported increased cultural understanding and professional growth
• Teachers valued the hands-on support from Connected North staff, from session planning to live facilitation

Importantly, the evaluation found that teachers actively integrate Connected North sessions into broader classroom learning, a key factor in maximizing educational impact.

A Reasonable Contribution to Long-Term Outcomes

While graduation rates are influenced by many factors, Carleton University concluded that:

It is reasonable to state that Connected North is contributing to improved student retention and graduation outcomes.

This conclusion is supported by:

• Strong alignment between program design and educational research
• Consistent evidence that short- and medium-term outcomes are occurring
• High fidelity implementation across diverse and remote contexts

The evaluation highlights Connected North’s full-service model, combining strong relationships, cultural respect, adaptability, and technical support, as a key reason the program continues to succeed at scale.

Looking Ahead

The evaluation also offers thoughtful recommendations to help Connected North continue growing while maintaining quality. These focus on managing expansion carefully, supporting staff capacity, and continuing to strengthen already strong practices.

After more than a decade of connecting classrooms across the North, this research affirms what educators and communities have been saying for years:

Connected North works — and it matters.

Want to learn more? View the presentation and evaluation report from Carleton University researchers using the links above.