Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is committed to equity, inclusion and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging in KP schools.
Kindergarten - Grade 8
Parents, guardians, or caregivers of students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 should have received a printed package with individual login information for each child in the home on Monday, May 30, 2022.
If you did not receive this information from your child’s school, please reach out to the school directly. To access the census for students in Kindergarten to Grade 8, please click on this link: censusk8.kpdsb.ca (you will need the student ID from the printed package to access and complete the census).
Parents or Guardians of students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 are encouraged to complete the census with or for their child(ren) by June 10, 2022.
Grade 9 - Grade 12
Students in Grades 9-12 received an email with a census link to their individual school email addresses on Monday, May 30, and will be given time to complete the census in their homerooms with the support of their teacher(s) during the weeks of May 30 and June 6.
If you child is in grades 9-12 and they did not receive the email with their individual link to access the census, please email us at census@kpdsb.ca.
What is the census?
Through this census, which asks a series of questions around identity and demographics, we hope to learn more about the students we support. The information will help us better understand and respond to diverse student demographics; enhance the creation and distribution of programs, resources and services; and, guide professional development and pedagogy. We recognize that in order to know and honour best who our students are, based on the many ways they identify themselves, we need to hear student voice. The overall goal of the student census is to improve achievement and well-being for all students.
Is it confidential?
The student census is confidential, while not anonymous. Individual student information will not be shared. The collection of information is guided by the Ontario Education Equity Action Plan, the Anti Racism Act and the Ontario Human Rights Commission which encourages the collection of identity data for the purposes of promoting equity and inclusivity. KPDSB will produce a report to help inform board and school decision making for programs and instruction. No direct identifying information, such as student name, will be required on the census and responses collected in the census will be combined in a manner that does not reveal personal information and will not identify a student or family. Individual student responses will not be analyzed.
Data will be collected in a secure manner in a way that does not reveal personal, identifiable information and student data will be kept confidential.
Do we have to participate?
Students may choose to skip questions if they do not wish to provide answers, or they can choose not to participate at all. It is important to note that the higher the completion rate, the more reliable the information will be in helping us to identify and remove systemic barriers. Questions about the collection or use should be directed to your school principal or you can reach us by email at census@kpdsb.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the student census?
The KPDSB is conducting a census to collect student identity information. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 will have their census login information sent to parents/guardians to complete the census with their child(ren). Students in Grades 9-12 will have their census link emailed to their KP email address and will be given class time to complete the census.
The information is necessary to better understand our student population; identify and address barriers to equity of access; enhance decision making about programs and supports necessary for student achievement and well-being.
What Data are we collecting?
Data will be collected on a voluntary basis and will include subjects like race and ethnicity, religion, gender identity, first language, ethnic or cultural origin, sexual orientation.
How will the Information be used?
Data will be analyzed on a global scale, and will not single out individual student responses. Data collected will bring clarity to our diverse student population. What we learn from the census will guide us to best support school experiences for all students. Gathering this information in alignment with the requirements under the Anti-Racism Act allows for a deeper analysis of groups of students based on self- reported identity, race, gender identity and disability.
Is the completion of the census mandatory?
The census is voluntary and students and families may opt out; however, full participation will produce optimal results. All participants have the option to skip questions they do not wish to answer. Parents/guardians/caregivers of students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 can complete the census on behalf of their child(ren) or with their child(ren). Students in Grades 9-12 can complete the census themselves, while in class.
How long will the census take to complete?
Individuals will require approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the census.
What if a student in Grades 9-12 cannot complete the census online?
Some students may find it challenging to complete the census.
- Staff will be available to support students who might find it challenging to complete the census.
- Schools will provide a paper copy of the census if that is the best option.
Do I need to fill out a separate census for each child in my home?
Yes, you will need to fill out a separate census for each child. Each questionnaire is linked separately to each child’s Student Number.
Is the census confidential?
The census is voluntary and confidential but not anonymous. All information will be collected and stored in a secure and confidential database and accessed only by authorized KPDSB personnel. Individual student identities will not be shared in isolation. The information collected will never identify a student or family and reports will only be developed in a summarized way to identify and address any barriers and to establish effective and enhanced practices. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act, RSO 1990, c. E-2, and will be used in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSO 1990, c. M-56.
Who will have access to the census results?
Once responses are processed and analyzed, the KPDSB will produce a series of reports to help inform board and school decision making for programs and instruction. School staff will not have access to individual student results. Data reports will never single out a student. By law, KPDSB cannot reveal individualized information for any student/parent/guardian who completes the census.
Does the collection of personal information violate the Human Rights Code or Protection of Privacy?
No. The collection of identity-based data is supported by Canada’s human rights legislative framework, including the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code. The Human Rights Code permits and encourages the collection and analysis of identity data for the purposes of identifying and removing systemic barriers; preventing discrimination; and promoting equity and inclusivity.
Who determined the census questions?
The census was created by the Ministry of Education’s Equity Secretariat as part of the Identity – based data project. The census is aligned with the Anti-Racism Data Standards.
When will the census take place?
The census will take place during the weeks of May 30 and June 6.
Parents/guardians/caregivers of students in Kindergarten to Grade 8 will receive login information through a printed letter that will be home on May 30. A link to access the census as well as an individual student login will be included in the letter. Print copies are available by request, please just reach out to your child’s school.
Students in Grades 9-12 will be emailed a secure link so that they can complete the census online during class time with teacher support. Print copies will be available upon request.
Will the census be accessible to all students?
Yes. For secondary students, support staff such as educational assistants will provide support as required. We will help arrange support in secondary schools for students to complete the census. Students may complete the census at home if they choose with support of their parent/guardian.
