Impact

In 2006 and 2008, TDSB students in Grades 7 to 12 and parents of Kindergarten to Grade 6 students, respectively, were invited to participate in a system-wide Census. Together, the two Censuses have provided the Board with a valuable source of information on its diverse student population, including their demographics, family background, self perceptions and in- and out-of-school experiences.  

This Census data has offered the Board hard evidence for: 

• Needs identification – identifying achievement gaps and determining barriers to achievement
• Programming and intervention – reviewing and implementing effective systems, supports and initiatives across the system 
• Accountability – establishing a baseline of data to measure improvement over time

As the TDSB prepares for the second Student and Parent Census in the 2011-12 school year, the following examples demonstrate how data from the first Census has informed practices at the school, system and community level and has ultimately led to improved student success.