Student & Staff Census

A census is the collection of information from an entire population or group of people. Census information is confidential and private but not anonymous. Students’ responses will be confidentially linked to their email address so that HDSB Research & Accountability staff can link the identity-based data with administrative records of students. Reporting of results will not identify any particular student or small group of students (e.g., less than 15).

​All school boards in Ontario are required by theAnti-Racism Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 15, andOntario’s Education Equity Action Plan to gather and report identity-based data.

The Student Census findings will help the HDSB and our schools to:

• fully understand the needs of all students and families to support student success and well-being
• identify and eliminate discriminatory practices, systemic barriers and bias in order to ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes
• and allocate resources to support students and programs where the need is greatest.

The Student Census consists of approximately 30 multiple choice questions about student identity as set out by the Anti-Racism Data Standards​, family characteristics, school experiences and student well-being. 

Student Census Grade 4-12 ​​​

• English - Sample ​Student Census - Grade 4-12​​
• Arabic - Sample ​Student Census - Grade 4-12​
• Punjabi​ - Sample ​Student Census - Grade 4-12​
• Hindi - Sample ​Student Census - Grade 4-12​
• French - Sample ​Student Census - Grade 4-12​
• Chinese - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - Grade 4-12​
• Urdu - Sample ​Student Cen​s​us - Grade 4-12​

​K-3 Student Census​​​

• English - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Arabic - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Punjabi - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Hindi - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• French - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Chinese - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Urdu - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 
• Romanian - Sample ​Student Cen​sus - K-3​​ 

All collected responses will be stored in a secure, confidential database and will only be accessed by authorized HDSB Research & Accountability staff to identify and summarize trends among HDSB students. Individual student responses will be grouped together for analysis so that no individual student information is identifiable. ​

Data will be analyzed by research staff with the HDSB’s Research & Accountability Department. Information will be used to produce a series of reports to help inform Board and school decision-making for programs and learning. Summarized data may also be shared with community partners and government agencies to help them improve their services to best meet the needs of their communities. Data reports or analysis will never single out a student.

On the introduction page of the Student Census, there is a statement about following up with your responses if we are concerned for your well-being. This refers only to very serious concerns for your safety and the safety of others and does not at all relate to how you answer any of the identity questions such as gender identity, sexual orientation, or questions regarding school experiences.  

Your responses are stored in a secure, confidential database which can only be accessed by authorized HDSB Research & Accountability staff to identify and summarize overall trends. Results will not be shared in a way that could identify a student individually or a small group of students at a particular school.