2023-2024 Student Demographic Survey

Posted On Wednesday March 20, 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is the mission of the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) to be an inclusive Catholic learning community that inspires every student to achieve their full potential through faith and education.

In order to effectively support every student in reaching their full potential, resources and supports need to be aligned with student needs. To assist in making evidence-based and informed decisions about supports and resource allocation, we will be conducting a Student Demographic Survey from April 22-26, 2024. Collecting demographic data allows the board to better analyze the trends and patterns in student achievement and student success. 

We have outlined information about the Student Demographic Survey below and have created a webpage where you can preview the survey questions and access answers to frequently asked questions. Please visit dcdsb.ca/StudentSurvey to learn more.

About 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).

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:

  • disproportionalities with respect to student course enrollment, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions, and special education programs and services; and 
  • disparities with respect to student achievement, well-being and sense of belonging.

The survey is voluntary – meaning you can choose if you want to complete the survey; skip questions you do not want to answer; or stop completing the survey at any time. The Student Demographic Survey is confidential and follows all privacy laws.

Completing the Survey
The survey will include all students from Kindergarten - Grade 12:

  • Kindergarten - Grade 8 Survey: parents/guardians will be invited to complete the survey on behalf of their child(ren) between April 22-26, 2024. An invitation will be sent to parents/guardians via the email address on file at their child(ren)'s school(s), and will include a unique, confidential link to the survey. Parents/guardians will receive a unique link/URL for each child.
  • Grade 9-12 Survey: students will be invited to complete the survey during class time in the week of April 22-26, 2024. An invitation will be sent to students via their DCDSB student email address on April 22, 2024, and will contain a unique, confidential link to the survey. If you do not want your child (under 18 years of age) 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 have opted out of survey completion will be provided with classroom work during that time at the teacher's discretion.

A summary of the overall Student Demographic Survey data will be made available on school and board websites in Fall 2024. 

If you have any questions about the Student Demographic Survey, please contact your school. Should you have any questions about the data collection process, please contact StudentSurvey@dcdsb.ca. 

Thank you for participating in the Student Demographic Survey. Your continued partnership makes a difference and will contribute to our program and resource planning. 

Yours in Faith,

  

Tracy Barill                                          Kayode Akomolafe
Director of Education                       Human Rights and Equity Advisor