Student Census

The Student Census is a voluntary, confidential survey for all students in TLDSB that collects identity-based data to help our communities understand and better support equity and inclusion. The data collected from students and parents/guardians provide the school system, families, and the community with valuable information that can help to improve programming and services for the benefit of all students.

School boards across Ontario are required by Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan and Anti-Racism Act, 2017 to gather and report identity-based data by 2023. The gathering of this data also aligns with the Board’s strategic planning and commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and celebrated.

Collection of identity-based data is supported by Canada’s Human Rights Legislative Framework, which includes 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 allows and encourages the collection and analysis of identity-based data for the purposes of identifying and removing systemic barriers, preventing discrimination, and promoting equity and inclusivity. 

The Student Census asked multiple choice identity-based questions on race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, *gender identity, *sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic status, and citizenship.
*Questions regarding gender identity and sexual orientation are grade-level appropriate, consistent with The Ontario Curriculum, Health and Physical Education (2019). Kindergarten to Grade 6 students were not be asked about sexual orientation.

The student census is confidential and voluntary, but not anonymous. Individual responses, and all personal student and family information will remain strictly confidential, protected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Personal information collected in the TLDSB student census is under the authority of the Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, sections 169.1, 170 (1) and 171 (1), the Anti-Racism Act 2017, and in accordance with Section 29 (2) of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Please refer to the “Privacy and Security” section for more information.

No. The census itself is confidential but not anonymous. The resulting reports summarize the data collected. No individual student or family will be identified.

Please refer to the “Privacy and Security” section for more information.

The student census was voluntary. Parents/guardians had the option to not complete the survey for students in Kindergarten through to Grade 8. Parents/guardians had the option to opt their Grades 9 to 12 children out of participation during class.

The encrypted data will be collected securely through Qualtrics in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and best practices. The data was then transferred to the TLDSB data warehouse in accordance with the Board’s BD-2121 Privacy, Information Management and Access to Information Procedure.

Please refer to the Privacy and Security section for more information.

The response data collected is considered primary data which is cleaned by TLDSB’s Research and Data Analyst. Once this step has been completed, the Research and Data Analyst will work with our consulting firm, Turner Consulting Group, using datasets drawn from the primary data to conduct initial analysis and reporting. These datasets will contain no personal identifying information.

Please refer to the “Privacy and Security” section for more information.

The data collected from students and parents/guardians provides the school system, families, and the community with valuable information that can help to improve programming and services for the benefit of all students, with a focus on student achievement and engagement. The Board will share reporting that will help inform both Board and school decision-making for programs and instruction that focus on eliminating barriers to student success and enriching students’ learning by providing appropriate support. Census reports will be shared publicly, along with information on how this data has helped guide TLDSB’s programming, strategic planning, policies, practices, resources, and support.