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What is a Student Census?
The Student Census collects detailed information about students' demographics and experiences. In the 2021-2022 school year, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (91¿´Æ¬) conducted a student census for Grades 4-12 students. Parents or guardians completed the census for younger students (Kindergarten to Grade 3) and those with special needs who required assistance.
Why Conduct a Student Census?
Research has shown that systemic racism and discrimination exist in Ontario. To address these issues, the Ontario Anti-Racism Act, 2017, requires school boards to collect identity-based data on the following items:
- Language(s) first spoken​​
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- ​Indigenous language(s) first spoken​
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- ​Indigenous identity​
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- ​Religious affiliation​
| - ​Socio-economic status​
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Collecting data about these items helps identify and eliminate disparities and disproportionalities in student experiences and outcomes, and supports planning and resource allocation to meet diverse student needs.​
Consent, Implementation, and Confidentiality- Consent: The census was voluntary. Parents and guardians received detailed information and had the option to opt out.
- Implementation: Students received personalized links to the online census via their school email accounts. The census collected names, student numbers, and school locations to link responses to individual students’ achievement, program access, and discipline information.
- Confidentiality: All data collected is kept confidential and used solely to improve student outcomes without revealing personal identities. Detailed privacy measures are in place to protect student information.
Response Rates
- Grades 4 - 12: Approximately 74% of students participated, with variations by grade level.
- Kindergarten - Grade 3: About 17% participation, with parents/guardians completing the census.​​
Types of Questions
The census included mandatory questions about:
- Demographics: Gender identity, language(s) spoken, Indigenous identity, ethnicity, race, religion, and differing abilities.
- Experiences and Attitudes: Peer inclusion, school participation, emotional state, representation of equity-seeking groups, and experiences of exclusion or bullying.
Impact and BenefitsBy collecting and analyzing this data, 91¿´Æ¬ aims to:
- Identify Issues: Spot and address systemic racism and discrimination within the school system.
- Improve Outcomes: Develop targeted strategies to enhance educational outcomes for all students.
- Ensure Equity: Uphold Catholic social teachings by promoting human dignity, solidarity, community living, and rights and responsibilities.
- Support Students: Ensure that all students feel valued, supported, and treated with kindness and fairness, reflecting the teachings of Christ.