2021 YCDSB Student Census

Each Student is a Beloved Student of God

Each student is a beloved child of God endowed with gifts from God and sent to make a difference in the world. With this in mind, we remain committed to helping all students achieve their God-given potential and experience success as creative and critical thinkers who integrate Catholic values into their lives as socially responsible global citizens.

Why We Are Conducting a Student Census

In fulfillment of its mission of educating and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential in a safe and caring environment, the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) is conducting a voluntary and confidential Student Census in early 2021 to better understand the backgrounds, experiences and needs of our students and communities. The collection of demographic data is a Ministry initiative that is intended to “foster policies, procedures and practices that are equitable and inclusive for ALL students – regardless of background, social identity or personal circumstances – and that support closing achievement and opportunity gaps.”

An important way to ensure success is to know and understand students in the richness of their diversity and uniqueness. An essential component of this work is gaining a better understanding of the intersectionality of social identities on student achievement. The information that your child provides will help us better identify the barriers to student success and what we need to do to create more equitable and inclusive learning environments as we work to improve equity, achievement and well-being for all students.

Purpose of the Student Census

The Student Census is important.

It will provide us with valuable insight into who are our students, their backgrounds and lived experiences, as well as the needs of our students and school communities. This information collected from the Student Census will help us address opportunity and achievement gaps to ensure that every student can be successful.

Research tells us that student achievement is influenced by many factors, including students’ lived experiences related to their ethnic and cultural background, gender, socio-economics, parental education and engagement, safety, and sense of belonging. The data gathered from the Student Census will help us understand how these factors impact student success. We will use the census information to make equitable and informed decisions about our policies, practices, programs, partnerships, resources and services. The census information will also help inform the refinement of the YCDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan, the student, school and board improvement planning process, and the Board’s Human Rights, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Strategy.

Questions and Answers about the Student Census

Why are we planning to administer a Student Census?

To fulfil our mission of educating and inspiring all students to achieve their full potential in a safe and caring environment, we are conducting a voluntary and confidential Student Census to better understand the backgrounds, experiences and needs of our students and communities.

We are committed to helping all students experience success. To support this goal, we are conducting a K-6 Parent Census and a Grade 7-12 Student Census to better understand the backgrounds, experiences and needs of our students and school communities to better support improvements in equity, student achievement, and well-being.

The data collected from both students and their parents will provide schools, families, and the community with valuable information to better meet the learning needs of all students, including ensuring that curriculum materials and the school and learning environment are reflective of students’ identities.

The Student Census will gather demographic data to help the Board and our schools to:

better understand the needs of our student populations and school communities;
address barriers to student well-being, achievement and success;
establish effective programs and allocate resources where they are needed the most.

How can I find out more about the census?

A community information session will be held for parents/guardians and school communities about the Student Census. The virtual information session will be held on November 25, 2020.

York Catholic District School Board Census Information Session

November 25, 2020

Parent Census (K-6) 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Student Census (Grade 7-12) 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

YouTube Live Stream Link for the Community Information Sessions

For more information about the Student Census Information Session, or to submit your questions about the Student Census, email census@ycdsb.ca.

What can I expect from the Student Census Information Session?

What if I, or my child, can't access the census online?

What types of questions are included in the Student Census?

Do I need to answer every question on the census?

Do students require parental permission to complete the Student Census?

How will responses be kept confidential?

How is the Student Census confidential but not anonymous?

Will students lose access to any programs if they do not complete the census?

How will responses be kept confidential and secure?

The Census is confidential. 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. Questionnaires will have unique access codes assigned to them. Data will be stored on internal YCDSB servers and will only be accessed by the Research team to analyze the data. Reports will never single out or identify a student or family and will only be reported in summary to understand the needs of school communities.

Will the census be available in a variety of languages?

Why would I want my child to complete the Student Census?

The Student Census is important as it will provide us with valuable insight into who our students are and their lived experiences. The information gathered will help us better understand the impact of identity on student learning, achievement, and well-being.

With the information, the Board and schools will be able to:

Better understand the needs of our students;
More effectively plan programs to meet identified student needs;
improve the quality of programs and service delivery;
Reduce the disadvantages experienced by some students;
Determine where funds are most needed;
Improve the equitable allocation and distribution of resources.

Resources

Student Census Questionnaire

Authorization to Collect Data

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2 and Bill 114, Anti-Racism Act, 2017, complies with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56, and aligns with the Ontario Education Equity Action Plan, with funding from the Equity Secretariat.

Confidentiality Statement

The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) Student Census is confidential. 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. Questionnaires will have unique access codes assigned to them. Data will be stored on internal YCDSB servers and accessed by authorized YCDSB research staff to analyze the data. Reports will never single out or identify a student or family and will only be reported in summary to understand the needs of our school communities. Moreover, board trends will only include findings where there are 10 or more students.

Should you have any questions about the Student Census, email census@ycdsb.ca

ATTN: YCDSB CENSUS
c/o York Catholic District School Board
320 Bloomington Road West
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 3V4

The York Catholic District School Board student census is coming winter 2021