Frequently Asked Questions
Expand the tabs below to review frequently asked questions about the 2023 GECDSB Student Census.
| What is a Student Census? |
| The Student Census is a short, 20-minute survey that will gather demographic data about each student. It will help us assess academic achievement, understand the diversity of our student population and continue to invest in their well-being. |
| Is the Student Census mandatory? |
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Participation in the Student Census is voluntary. Every student and parent/guardian can choose to participate in the census. Those who choose to participate in the census have the option of not answering any question. No program, service or benefit will be withheld because a student or parent/guardian does not participate, or refuses to participate, in the Student Census. |
| Who will be asked to complete the Student Census? |
| Our goal is to collect demographic data on all GECDSB students.
Parents/guardians of students in Grades JK-8 and STEPS will be able to complete the survey at home with their child(ren). Students in Grades 9-12 will complete the survey during class time. Survey questions will differ depending on grade level. |
| How is the Student Census confidential, but not anonymous? |
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The Student Census is not anonymous because students in Grades 9-12 or parents/guardians of students in Grades JK-8 will enter their or their child’s student number to log in and begin the census. However, no personal information for any student will be publicly released. Instead, the information will be grouped together for all students to conduct an analysis of student success and well-being. This ensures that the information provided by students and/or parents/guardians remains confidential. By using the student number, it ensures that students are able to complete the survey only once. It also allows the Board to match the responses to the census with information on the student’s academic achievement and other student data so we can analyze outcomes for students. |
| Why are we asking students and parents/guardians to complete the Student Census? |
| The Student Census provides an opportunity for the Board to learn about our diverse student population and will help us understand their different experiences and needs. |
| Why as a parent/guardian would I want to complete the Student Census? |
| The census is important. The more students and parents/guardians that participate in the census, the more accurate our information will be on our student population. Your time and effort in completing the survey makes a difference.
The Student Census will provide us with valuable insight into understanding who our students are, their academic achievement, and their lived experiences. This data will assist us in:
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| How will the data be used? |
| The demographic data from the Student Census will be combined with other information about students, such as program of study, special education identification, and suspensions. The data will be analyzed to better understand student success and well-being. This will allow the Board to develop effective programs and allocate resources where they are needed the most. |
| What type of questions will appear on the Student Census? |
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The Student Census includes questions about Indigenous identity, ethnic/cultural background, racial identity, citizenship status, religious/spiritual affiliation, well-being, gender identity, and disabilities. Students in Grade 9 to 12 will be asked about sexual orientation. The census includes questions required under Ontario’s Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism, as well as several additional questions mandated by the Ministry of Education to collect data based on the grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. The census will also ask questions about the well-being of students in Grades 4-12. |
| Is the school board allowed to ask these questions? |
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Yes. The Ontario Ministry of Education has mandated school boards across the province to conduct a Student Census to better understand the student population and identify gaps in academic achievement and well-being. The census includes questions required under Ontario’s Data Standards for the Identification and Monitoring of Systemic Racism, as well as several additional questions mandated by the Ministry of Education to collect data based on the grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. We are authorized to collect personal information from students by the Anti-Racism Act (ARA s.6(2)), Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA s.28(2)), and the Education Act (265(1)(d), 169.1(1)). Our process has been developed in accordance with the guidance and legislation provided by the Ministry of Education, the Anti-Racism Directorate, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. |
| What if I require a paper copy of the Student Census? |
| Parents/guardians will be able to request a paper copy of the census. Paper copies will be available through the school’s office. |
| How will the Board ensure that all students and parents/guardians are able to complete the Student Census? |
Paper copies of the census will be available for download on publicboard.ca/studentcensus or upon request from your school's front office. Paper copies will be available in the following languages:
We strongly encourage families to use the translated copy as a guide to help complete the online version of the census. If you choose to submit a paper copy of the census, please return the census to the school in the sealed envelope that will be provided by May 12th, 2023. The online version of the census is also compatible with Google Translate. |
| How will secondary students with cognitive or physical challenges complete the Student Census in school? |
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Secondary students in the STEPS program will have the opportunity to complete the census at home with a parent/guardian. A link to complete the census will be sent on April 11th, 2023. The online Student Census will be compatible with an immersive reader. If a secondary student has a cognitive or physical challenge and is unable to complete the Student Census on their own, they will be given support to complete the census. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility and the Student Census, please contact the Special Education Department at 519-255-3200 ext. 10219. |
| When will the Student Census take place? |
| The Student Census will take place in April-May of 2023 |
| Who will be able to see the Student Census data? |
| Responses to the census will be kept in a confidential database. All responses can only be accessed by the consultant and the Superintendent of Human Resources, strictly for analysis and research purposes. |
| How will we maintain data security? |
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Access and maintenance of this data will comply with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The Student Census will be hosted by Qualtrics. Qualtrics uses Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption for all transmitted data. Qualtrics uses trusted data centers that are independently audited using the industry standard SSAE-18 method. You can learn more about their security here. Responses to the Student Census will be kept in a confidential database that will be password protected. Only the consultant and the Superintendent of Human Resources will have access to the confidential Student Census database. |
| What if I don’t want my child to participate in the Student Census? |
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The GECDSB Students Census is voluntary. Any student or parent/guardian may choose not to participate, to stop participating, or to skip a question at any time. Parents/guardians of students in JK-Grade 8 can choose to not complete the online survey when it is sent home in April. Parents/guardians of secondary students under 18 years of age will be given the opportunity to opt their child(ren) out of the survey through a form that will be sent home via email on March 31st, 2023. This exemption request must be made by April 6th, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. If a parent/guardian does not submit a request to opt-out, all students are still free to choose not to participate in the Student Census or in individual questions. If you have any questions about the GECDSB Student Census, please contact [email protected]. |
| If I am completing the survey with my child at home, how do I access it? |
| Parents with children in grades JK-8 will receive an email with a unique census link for every child in their household on April 11th, 2023 |