The 2019 Student Survey
PARENT INFORMATION LETTER
Dear Parents and Guardians:
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) has a strong commitment to improving equity of access and opportunity for all students. We recognize the need for data to better understand our students and how they are being served.
The OCDSB will be conducting a student survey between November 26th and January 19, 2020. The survey will collect data for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The survey includes 2 types of questions:
- Demographic questions about things such as race, gender identity, ethnicity, language and sexual orientation; and
- Perceptual questions about student’s sense of safety, belonging, engagement, and wellbeing.
The survey is voluntary and confidential. The survey will be completed by parents of students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 (one survey per child). Students in grades 7-12 will complete the survey during class time. The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Participants will be sent an email with a direct link to the survey and will complete it electronically. A paper copy is available upon request.
Participation is voluntary. Parents of students in grades 7 to 12 who do NOT want their child to participate must complete and submit this form by November 15, 2019. Parents of students in K-6 who do NOT want to participate may just refrain from completing the survey.
The survey data will be used to identify trends which could help to answer questions about:
- Achievement Gaps – whether certain groups of students achieve at the same rate;
- Suspension and Expulsion Rates – whether certain groups of students are suspended or expelled at a higher rate;
- Streaming – whether certain groups of students are over or under represented in particular programs or streams (e.g., academic versus applied courses; English with Core French versus Elementary French Immersion);
- Sense of Belonging - whether certain groups of students feel more engaged/disengaged at school;
- Feeling Safe at School – whether certain groups of students feel more or less safe at school.
More information about the survey is available in our Q&A document. If you have other questions or are looking for additional information please visit OCDSB website and/or individual school websites or contact the Research Lead and OCDSB contact for this project - Sait Atas at [email protected] or at 613-596-8211 ext. 8571.
Thank you for your assistance as we undertake this important work.
Sincerely,
Principal