Derek Chen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto, the Supervisory Officer Qualifications Program of the Ontario Principals’ Council, and a Master of Education degree from OISE.

He began his career in education in the late 1990s, first as a Business Studies teacher and then as a Guidance Counsellor, followed by roles of vice-principal and principal with the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Between his years of teaching, Derek worked for two years in Panama, teaching English as a Second Language to post-secondary students and leading other projects. Following his years in classrooms and schools, he was appointed Superintendent of Equity, Diversity, Indigenous Education, and Community Relations with the School Board. During his tenure, he led or co-led initiatives, including the creation of the School Board’s Equity Action Plan, which addressed issues related to anti-Black and anti-Indigenous matters. He also implemented student identity-based data collection and developed and delivered organization-wide professional development on equity, diversity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression. In September 2022, he was seconded to the position of Chief Equity and Assessment Officer with Ontario’s Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).

In terms of priorities in student learning and assessment, Derek emphasizes access and equity for all students, as well as the importance of collecting and analyzing demographic data to support school boards in identifying disparities and disproportionalities. He highlights efforts to increase the representation of marginalized communities in large-scale assessments and the need for further research to support positive anecdotal evidence on the impact of culturally responsive items/questions on assessments.

In the transition from paper-based to digital assessments, Derek notes both benefits and potential challenges. He recognizes the equity advantages of online testing, such as remote access and built-in tools, such as speech-to-text and other accessibility features, while expressing concerns about some students’ readiness for online assessments, particularly in classrooms that remain paper-based, as well as how the potential impact of some students’ limited access to technology might affect their test performance.

EQAO, like all Canadian jurisdictions modernizing their assessments by transitioning from paper-based to digital assessments, has relied on Vretta as its technology partner. Derek perceives the service provider as responsive and effective, citing the regular leadership meetings and frequent contact between project managers and assessment teams.

Derek co-authored the 2025 (April) article, How EQAO Ensures Assessments are Fair, Equitable and Inclusive for all Students, which can be accessed here.

Outside of work, music is Derek’s passion, having a background in a school choir and an interest in music production. Please feel free to reach out to Derek at: derek.chen@eqao.com.