We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions on this webpage so that students and parents/guardians can better understand the Student Demographic Survey data collection, survey questions, and how the data obtained will be used.
Notice of Collection |
Personal information in this survey is collected under the authority of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, section 169.1(1), the Anti-Racism Act 2017, section 6 and in accordance with section 28(2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information collected will be used by DCDSB for educational and research purposes, to support DCDSB schools and provide effective educational programs and services. Questions regarding this collection should be directed to your child's school, emailed to StudentSurvey@dcdsb.ca, or mailed to DCDSB Student Demographic Survey, 650 Rossland Road West, Oshawa, Ontario, L1J 7C4. The Student Demographic Survey is confidential and voluntary, but not anonymous. Individual responses, and all personal information will remain strictly confidential, protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information collected in the DCDSB Student Demographic Survey is under the authority of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, section 169.1, the Anti-Racism Act 2017, and in accordance with Section 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. |
What is a Student Demographic Survey? |
The Student Demographic Survey offers students an opportunity to share information about their identities related to the protected grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). The voluntary survey will collect confidential student demographic data that will enable DCDSB to better understand our students, and to inform plans to improve student achievement and student success. The content of the survey is guided by the Anti-Racism Data Standards. The survey will help to meet our obligations related to planning and monitoring the annual Student Achievement Plan, mandated by the Ministry of Education under the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023. The survey will allow the board to identify, monitor and address:
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Why is DCDSB doing a Student Demographic Survey? |
The Anti-Racism Act, 2017 and Ontario's Education Equity Action Plan, require school boards across the province to collect student identity-based data to identify barriers, gaps, and determine how to eliminate discrimination and biases in our classrooms and schools. In order to ensure every student can reach their full potential, we need to align resources and supports with student needs. Collecting demographic data allows the board to better analyze the trends and patterns in student achievement and student success. This information enables the board to evidence-based and informed decisions about resource allocation and supports. |
What information are you collecting as part of the Student Demographic Survey? |
The Student Demographic Survey offers students an opportunity to share information about their identities related to the protected grounds of the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). |
Who will complete the survey? |
The survey will include all students from Kindergarten - Grade 12:
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Can we view the questions in advance? |
Yes! You can preview the survey questions by clicking here. These questions are guided by Ministry of Education Anti-Racism Data Standards. |
How will the survey be distributed to students and parents/guardians? |
Parents and guardians of Kindergarten - Grade 8 students will receive a unique, confidential link (URL) to the email address on file at their child's school. If you have more than 1 child in our school system, you will receive a separate email for each child. Parents and guardians will complete the survey for their child(ren) between April 22-26, 2024. Parent-1 and Parent-2 (as designated in PowerSchool) will receive the same link for their child, but if one parent submit the survey, the other parent can only read the response and will see a message saying that the survey has been completed by the other parent/guardian.
On Monday, April 22, 2024, students in Grades 9 to 12 will receive an email from SchoolMessenger with their unique link/URL to the Student Demographic Survey. This email will be sent to secondary students' board email account (e.g. student_no@dclive.ca). Students can access their board email by logging into Office 365. Students will be invited to complete the survey during class time in the week of April 22-26, 2024. If you do not want your child in Grades 9-12 to participate in the survey, please complete the Student Demographic Survey Opt-Out Form by Friday, April 12, 2024. Grade 9-12 students who do not complete the survey during class time will be provided with classroom work at the teacher's discretion. |
How was the DCDSB Student Demographic Survey developed? |
The survey questions are guided by the Anti-Racism Data Standards established through the Anti-Racism Act. The questions were developed to support data collection and to ensure consistent practices across boards of education in Ontario. The two perceptual questions about students' sense of representation were developed and are consistent with the 2021-2022 DCDSB Student Census questions, and are intended to help the board collect data to inform plans required by the Ministry of Education. |
Why does the Student Demographic Survey ask questions about race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, religion, etc.? |
The Ontario Human Rights Code permits the collection and analysis of data based on grounds such as race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or religion, etc., for legitimate purposes such as identifying and removing systemic barriers and promoting substantive equality. Since 2018, under the Ontario Anti-Racism Act, school boards have been encouraged to collect identity-based data, including Indigenous identity, ethnic origin, race and religion. The Anti-Racism Data Standards further specifies that identity-based data collection is now mandatory for school boards. Regarding questions related to gender, understanding gender diversity for students is part of a school's responsibility in creating accepting and positive school climates. The Ontario Human Rights Code incorporates gender identity and expression as fundamental legal human rights for every citizen - ensuring that one's 'lived gender identity' is one's legal gender identity. In 2012, the Education Act (Bill 13 Accepting Schools Act) incorporated all areas protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code including gender identity and gender expression and specified that school boards must ensure safe, inclusive and positive school climates for all students. |
Is the Student Demographic Survey accessible? |
Yes. The Student Demographic Survey uses an online platform which is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This platform has accessibility features built-in and is compatible with screen reading technology. In addition, educators have been advised to support students in completing the survey in the same way that students are supported in their classes. If you have accessibility needs or prefer the use of another format to meet your needs, please contact StudentSurvey@dcdsb.ca. |
Is the Student Demographic Survey available to students with special needs? |
Yes. We will provide all accommodations, supports, and assistive technology needed to ensure that every student can participate in the survey. Educators have been advised to support Grade 9-12 students in completing the survey in the same way that students are supported in their classes. If you have accessibility needs or prefer the use of another format to meet your needs, please contact StudentSurvey@dcdsb.ca. |
Is the Student Demographic Survey available in multiple languages? |
The survey can be viewed in multiple languages on our website. The default survey questions will be available in English. The webpage will have the Google Translate option enabled, and can translate into your preferred language, with over 130+ languages available. |
Is the Student Demographic Survey mandatory? |
No. The survey is voluntary; however, we encourage the completion of the survey to ensure the results accurately represent our students and school communities. With a high completion rate, DCDSB can ensure programs and policies are created or revised to meet the needs of our students. |
Do I/my child need to answer every question on the survey? |
No. The survey is voluntary. Students and parents/guardians may choose to skip questions if they prefer not to answer, or they can stop answering at any time. |
What are some considerations being made concerning the data collection process (e.g. Is parent/guardian consent being required to complete survey?) |
The survey is voluntary meaning you can choose if you/your child will complete the survey. Students and parents/guardians can skip questions they do not want to answer or stop answering at any time. A letter will be sent to parents and guardians in March/April 2024 advising of the survey data collection period which will take place from April 22-26, 2024. On Monday, April 22, 2024, parents/guardians with a child(ren) in Kindergarten to Grade 8 will receive an email from SchoolMessenger inviting them to complete DCDSB’s Student Demographic Survey for the student. Parents/guardians will receive a unique link/URL for each one of your children. For example: if you have three children in Kindergarten to Grade 8, then you will receive three (3) separate emails from SchoolMessenger with unique Link/URL to complete the survey for each child. On Monday, April 22, 2024, students in Grades 9 to 12 will receive an email from SchoolMessenger with their unique link/URL to the Student Demographic Survey. This email will be sent to secondary students' board email account (e.g. student_no@dclive.ca). Students can access their board email by logging into Office 365. Students will be invited to complete the survey during class time in the week of April 22-26, 2024. If you do not want your child in Grades 9-12 to participate in the survey, please complete the Student Demographic Survey Opt-Out Form by Friday, April 12, 2024. Grade 9-12 students who do not complete the survey during class time will be provided with classroom work at the teacher's discretion. |
What gives the school board the right to collect student demographic information? |
Collection of identity-based data is supported by Canada’s human rights legislative framework, including the Canadian Human Rights Act, The Ontario Human Rights Code, and section 15(2) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Human Rights Commission permits and encourages the collection and analysis of identity data for the purposes of identifying and removing systemic barriers; preventing discrimination; and promoting equity and inclusivity. |
Is the Student Demographic Survey anonymous? |
The survey is confidential but not anonymous. We respect the privacy of our students and families. Data will be collected in a secure manner in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and best practices. All data will be stored in a secure, confidential Canadian data base that will be accessed by authorized members of the DCDSB’s Core Research Team to identify and summarize board trends. Reports will never single out or identify a student or family, and will only be reported in a summarized way, to provide understanding of school community needs. The data collection and storage is governed by privacy laws. |
How will you keep responses confidential and secure? |
We respect the privacy of our students and families. Data will be collected in a secure manner in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and best practices. All data will be stored in a secure, confidential Canadian data base that will be accessed by authorized members of the DCDSB’s Core Research Team to identify and summarize board trends. Reports will never single out or identify a student or family, and will only be reported in a summarized way, to provide understanding of school community needs. Privacy requirements outlined in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) will be followed. MFIPPA is the provincial legislation that establishes responsibilities of school boards to protect personal information about individuals including students, that is collected, used, retained, disclosed, and disposed of. The confidential database will only be accessed by authorized DCDSB Core Research Team for analysis and research purposes. |
How will the Student Demographic Survey data be used? |
In order to ensure every student can reach their full potential, we need to align resources and supports with student needs. Collecting demographic data allows the board to better analyze the trends and patterns in student achievement and student success. This information enables the board to evidence-based, more informed decisions, about resource allocation and supports. The data collected from the survey will be used to help us better understand the composition of the DCDSB student population as the Durham Region continues to grow. We will also use survey data to produce reports on student achievement, programs, supports and activities at our schools. School boards are responsible to use the student demographic data data to see if there are any over or under-representations of student groups in specific areas of programs or services. Student demographic 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. |