The Research, Evaluation & Analytics Division (READ) is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of research and evaluation services at the OCDSB.
The division supports decision-making at the system, school, classroom, and student level through analysis and reporting of student achievement and well-being data. This supports the system’s responsibility to foster positive learning conditions for students and to provide them with equitable opportunities to reach their potential, as identified in the 2023-2027 strategic plan. Using a data support model, the READ team fosters data literacy for superintendents, principals, and school staff, with the goal of bringing lessons from data discussed in the Boardroom to drive positive change in the classroom.
READ works with and supports local, provincial, national, and international partners to ensure alignment of services with community and education partners. This includes the review of external research proposals from individuals and/or agencies/organizations interested in conducting research with OCDSB staff, students, parents, or programs. Learn more about conducting external research in the OCDSB.
Direction from the Ministry of Education informs a number of OCDSB initiatives and reports. The READ team coordinates and supports many aspects of this work, in collaboration with other departments such as Program & Learning Innovation and Learning Support Services. Working together as partners in education, and with a network of school boards across Ontario, READ supports key work that drives progress in identified areas.
Overall, READ’s mission is:
- To support a learning community through data-informed practices and evidence-based decision making;
- To promote accountability through transparent measurement, monitoring, and responsible reporting; and
- To engage with students, staff, and the community to ensure their voices are reflected in data-driven conversations.
The values at the core of READ’s work include:
- Ethics: Engaging in and supporting purposeful research practices, and the responsible use and management of data;
- Collaboration: Working together as a team and collaborating with schools and departments as learning partners;
- Equity: Honouring and responding to the voices of our diverse community to eliminate bias in research practices and interpretation; and
- Impact: Sharing and using results in a clear and meaningful way to build trust, support data use, and effect change at the District, school, and classroom level
Recent Reports from READ: