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MDI Information Rousseau School

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MDI Information Rousseau School

At HWDSB, the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) well-being survey intends to hear directly from students in grades 4 to 12 about their experiences and well-being. We will implement a full version of the MDI in classrooms in 2021-22.

Although we want to hear directly from children and youth, if you believe your child needs support to fill out the MDI, please help them as you see fit.

Why it matters

Right now, however, 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 MDI results to inform programs, supports and services for children & youth that foster healthy development and healing from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Privacy

Your child’s responses to the questions will be kept confidential and will be presented anonymously. We are not collecting student identifiers (e.g., student number or name).  Only Research & Analytics Department staff will have access to the survey data and will create anonymous, summary reports for our schools, the Board, and community partners working to improve the lives of children and youth. Children and youth may skip any questions they do not wish to answer. The MDI contains information about who they can reach out to if they feel distressed and need someone to talk to.

Questions?

For questions or concerns related to the privacy of your child’s survey data, please contact [email protected]. For questions about the survey itself, please contact [email protected]. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health and well-being, please use our resources below.

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

  1. Social and emotional development, such as self-esteem, optimism, happiness and empathy;
  2. Feelings of connectedness to school, family, friends, and communities;
  3. School experiences;
  4. Physical health and well-being; and
  5. Time use after school hours, as well as students’ wishes for after-school time.

MDI was chosen as a measure of the Board’s annual plan goal of ensuring a safe, supportive and accepting learning environment. Because it is a tested instrument to measure well-being, we believe it is the right tool to use now.

Updated on Monday, November 29, 2021.
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