By Matt Weingarden – The Tilbury Times Staff
The Lambton Kent District School Board is launching the ‘Count Me In Student Census’ during the month of March.
The project is designed to collect information to better understand its students and school communities.
The voluntary and confidential survey will collect demographic information about students such as race, ethnicity, language, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation.
Census questionnaires for students in Kindergarten to Gr. 8 will be sent to parents/guardians to complete with or on behalf of their child.
Students in Gr. 9 through 12 will be provided the link to the census directly and will be provided with classroom time to complete.
The census is directed and supported by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Results will identify systemic barriers and bias within the education system.
The results will help LKDSB make informed decisions about programming to support student success and allocate resources to where they are needed most.
“We are committed to removing barriers to education,” said Director of Education, John Howitt.
“The census will provide us with additional information to better understand individual student needs and our school communities at large, as well as identify and address discrimination and systemic barriers while improving outcomes for all students.”
Results of the census will be reported to the community this Fall – and action steps will be developed.
Parents/guardians with questions about the Count Me In LKDSB student census are encouraged to contact their child’s school.
The list of questions is posted on the LKDSB website.
For additional information about the census, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions, visit the LKDSB website.
