NEWS RELEASE from the OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
School District Announces New Dates for Student Survey
March 4, 2011, Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will proceed with a survey of all students between the dates of April 18th and May 20th. The student survey, originally planned for the fall of 2010 was delayed by the school district while the district worked with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) on an investigation into privacy issues associated with the survey.
Director of Education Barrie Hammond said “I am pleased to announce that the school district has received the report of the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. The report is excellent. It confirms our good work and states very clearly that the student survey is in compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act”.
The report from the Commission does not make any recommendations for change. It concludes that the planned collection, use and disclosure of survey information are in accordance with the Act and that the Board has implemented reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized access to information collected from the survey.
“This investigation was a very positive experience” said Hammond. “We listened to concerns raised by parents and the greater community and sought an independent review of the survey process. Our participation in this investigation demonstrates our commitment to good privacy and information management practices.”
Mr. Hammond added that the OCDSB is undertaking this survey for several reasons:
We believe that a comprehensive demographic survey will give us a better understanding of our population and will help us to better meet student needs
We are required to complete a bi-annual school climate survey; and
We are required to complete an Aboriginal self-identification survey.
The survey data will help us make better decisions about programs and services that are available to all students.
The voluntary survey will be sent home to parents of students in kindergarten to grade 6 for completion. Students in grades 7 to 12 will complete the survey on-line at school. However, on request they can be provided with a hard copy and complete the survey at home. A letter outlining more detail about the survey will be sent home to all parents at the start of next week.
Once the survey data is collected the next step will be to analyze it. Over the course of the investigation, the district has developed more detailed information about the survey analysis process. More detailed information about the six phases of data analysis can be found on the district website at www.ocdsb.ca
Board Chair Jennifer McKenzie said “This survey is critical to developing a better understanding of the diverse needs of our student populations. I would like to congratulate the Director and our staff for their excellent work on the survey and on their collaborative approach with the Privacy Commissioner during this investigation. The school district is responsible for promoting student achievement and student well-being. To do that well, we must get to know our students better. The survey is an excellent tool to help guide us there.”
– 30 –
For more information contact Sharlene Hunter, Communications Officer at 613-596-8264.
Click here to download PDF 