Why did the SCDSB conducting a student census?
Ontario school boards are required to conduct a student census, and under the Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan, boards are to collect and report on the data they collect. The collection of identity-based data collection is supported by the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC); data collection can play an essential role in creating equitable outcomes and strong human rights strategies by helping organizations to identify gaps in services.
The SCDSB Student Census 2020-2021 is a tool that will help to identify and address systemic barriers and will help guide decisions that support more equitable outcomes for all students.
What is the census and what did it ask?
The SCDSB Student Census 2020-2021 was a voluntary and confidential student survey that collected identity-based data to identify and address systemic barriers. Key questions on the census included gender identity, sexual orientation, language(s) a student speaks, Indigenous identity, ethnicity, race, religion and disabilities.
The questions on the SCDSB Student Census 2020-2021 were provided under the Anti-Racism Data Standards established through the Anti-Racism Act. The census questions were developed to help boards identify and address inequities in student outcomes and opportunities.
How was it distributed to students and parents/guardians?
In April 2021, students in Grade 7 to 12 were emailed a secure link inviting them to complete their census. The census took approximately 10 to 15 minutes of class time to complete. For students in Kindergarten to Grade 6, parents/guardians completed the student census on behalf of their child or children. Parents/guardians of these students received an email invitation which includes a secure link to their child(ren)’s student census. The email used for parents/guardians was the primary contact email on file at their child’s school.
How will the data be used?
The data collected from the student census will be used to help us better understand the composition of the SCDSB student population as Simcoe County continues to grow. School boards also use census data to produce reports on student achievement, programs, supports and activities at our schools. School boards are responsible to use the student census data to see if there are any over- or under-representations of student groups in specific areas of programs or services. Student census data is used to reveal trends or gaps within our system leading to actions for improving school climate, enhancing learning environments and removing barriers for equal opportunities and outcomes.
How will the SCDSB protect students’ personal information?
School boards must adhere to the strictest privacy and confidentiality standards when collecting information about students. We are collecting this information with strict adherence to, and under the authority of, the Anti-Racism Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 15, the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2, and in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56.
The collection of information with the student census is confidential, but it is not anonymous. This means that although the census did collect the identity of a student, individual student responses will never be shared. The data is analyzed and results are reported only showing results from groups of students. Reporting results by groups of students ensures that a student’s identity remains confidential. The only staff to access the collected responses are those authorized within the Research and Decision Support Services department. The response data from the census is accessed by this group of staff to summarize results by census question or student group, and to explore trends within the data.
Was the SCDSB Student Census 2020-2021 mandatory?
The census was voluntary, meaning that students in Grade 7 to 12 or a parent/guardian of a student in Kindergarten to Grade 6 chose to participate. If a student in Grade 7 to 12 or a parent/guardian of a student in Kindergarten to Grade 6 did not wish to participate there is no penalty, nor are there any consequences for choosing not to participate. It is important to note that a higher number of participants produces a more accurate picture of the SCDSB student population. The more responses collected, the better able we are to identify and address inequities within the SCDSB.
How was the SCDSB student census developed?
The questions on the SCDSB Student Census 2020-2021 are provided under the Anti-Racism Data Standards established through the Anti-Racism Act. The census questions were developed to support school boards in their data collection and to ensure consistent practices across the province.