Safe Schools Survey – Grades 4 to 12

In October 2020, HWDSB launched the Safe Schools Survey in partnership with the University of Ottawa. The Safe Schools Survey was developed by Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, University of Ottawa, and Dr. Debra Pepler, York University, two independent members who served on the Safe Schools: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel. Findings from the Safe Schools Survey will help schools plan or revise their Safe Schools Initiatives. The research team behind the Safe Schools Survey published its findings online in a scientific journal released this week. 

The Safe Schools Survey asked questions about safety, bullying, relationships, mattering (i.e., how much a child feels they matter to others) for students in Grades 4 to 12. Two versions of the survey, one focused on pre-COVID-19 experiences and one for experiences from September 2020 onward, were distributed. Students were randomly assigned one of the two versions to complete during school hours. In total 6578 students anonymously participated in this survey. 

The pandemic has made a tremendous impact on the social, emotional and mental health of our students. Survey findings showed far higher rates of general, physical, verbal and social bullying involvement before the pandemic, suggesting measures introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may have had a positive effect on mitigating bullying in schools. 

HWDSB is committed to building a caring, positive and inclusive culture for all students, educators and staff, where everyone feels safe, supported and accepted. 

Learn more about the Safe Schools Review Panel here

We All Count: HWDSB Student Census 2021

We All Count: HWDSB Student Census 2021 was a voluntary and confidential student survey that ran in April 2021. It collected identity-based data to identify and address systemic barriers. The nine questions on the census asked about a student’s languages, Indigenous identity, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, (dis)abilities, place of birth and citizenship/immigration status.

These questions are consistent with sample questions provided through the Anti-Racism Data Standard established through the Anti-Racism Act, 2017. Many school boards have conducted a student census. In fact, the Anti-Racism Act and Ontario’s Education Equity Action Plan require school boards to gather and report this data. It is also a priority project in HWDSB’s Equity Action Plan.

Families of students in Kindergarten to Grade 4 were emailed a secure link to the census form so they could complete the census form online on behalf of their child. Students in Grades 5 to 12 were emailed a secure link so they can complete the census form online during class time, with teacher support.

We will use the data to understand the make-up of the HWDSB student population, and to produce reports on student achievement, opportunities, and participation in programming. By identifying trends and gaps, we will be able to see which groups are over- or under-represented in certain areas.

HWDSB will also use this trend analysis to focus its work to improve school environments, eliminate discriminatory practices and remove barriers to student success. We will publicly report census results and how this data has helped guide HWDSB programs, strategies, policies, practices, resources, and supports.

Thank you to everyone who participated in We All Count: HWDSB Student Census 2021. HWDSB saw a participation rate of 19,957 students, with 15,015 coming from the grades 5 to 12 group of students and 4,942 coming from the K to 4 group of students). The data is currently being analyzed and will be shared in the future. Students will have another chance to participate in the census in fall 2021.

Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI)

During student census promotion this spring, we said we would follow the census with our well-being survey, the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI). This tool allows us to hear directly from children and youth in grades 4 to 12 about their experiences and well-being during COVID-19.

Rather than administer the MDI in class, we sent families with children in grades 4 to 12 a survey link by email.

The MDI was developed by researchers at the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) for children in grades 4 to 8. We worked with UBC to adapt it for youth in grades 9 to 12. The survey asks children and youth about their thoughts, feelings and experiences in school and in the community.

We know this year has been hard on many children and youth. That is why it is important for us to collect data to fully understand the impact this pandemic is having on their well-being and perceptions.

We want to use MDI to measure well-being during this critical and historic time. We will use the results to inform programs, supports and services for children and youth that foster healthy development and healing from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you to everyone who participated in June’s Middle Years Development Instrument survey. HWDSB saw a participation rate of 2,507 students. The data is currently being analyzed and will be shared in the future.

The constraints and uncertainty in schools prevent us from rolling out the MDI as a measure of our Board Annual Plan. We will fully implement the MDI in classrooms during the next school year.