Keeping track of the essential resources and programs in Ontario’s schools, and how they are affected by changes to provincial policy and funding.
Annual Ontario School Survey
Why an annual survey of Ontario's schools?
People for Education's annual school survey is unique in Canada. The information from the surveys provides an evidence-based, objective perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education, such as teacher-librarians, special education support services, and educational assistants.
Each year, we publish a report on the data we collect, along with other research findings. Our reports are quoted widely in the media and used by boards of education, the Ministry of Education, politicians, parents and citizens.
Our goals are to engage parents, educators and the broader public in thinking about education policy, and to shine a light on the wide range of factors that affect students’ chances for success at school and in life.
Highlights from PFE's 2016/17 Annual Ontario School Survey
This year's survey results reveal ongoing challenges in a number of areas, including demands created by competing and overlapping provincial initiatives, ongoing regional inequities, and growing gaps in schools’ fundraising.
The report shows a decline in specialist library and music teachers, but a substantial improvement in Indigenous education programs.
Read the 2017 Annual Report
Are you a school principal?
You can participate in this research initiative by completing the Ontario School Survey.
The information from the surveys provides an evidence-based, objective perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education, such as teacher-librarians, special education support services, and educational assistants.
Thank you to all of the survey participants and our funding partners for supporting this unique research project.
Annual Ontario School Survey research
Does Ontario provide equitable access to arts education?
New data from People for Education show that, students in small and rural schools, in schools with higher levels of poverty, and in schools with lower levels of parental education are less likely to have…
Arts education 2018
New data from People for Education show that, despite the widely recognized importance of arts education, equitable access to arts programs and resources is an ongoing challenge for Ontario’s schools.
Province increases funding for special education
The province has added new funding to decrease wait times for special education assessment; increase support for students with very high needs; and improve school board supports for special education services
Province to fund mental health workers in schools
By 2020, most high schools will have their own mental health worker.
More guidance counsellors for grades 7 and 8
The province has announced increases in per pupil funding for guidance counsellors for grades 7 and 8.
Fundraising and fees in Ontario’s schools
This report, based on the results from our annual survey of schools, identifies equity issues related to fundraising and fees in Ontario’s publicly funded schools. Over 1200 schools across Ontario participated in the survey, and…
The fundraising advantage
A new report from People for Education reveals that Ontario elementary schools with low poverty rates raise twice the amount raised by schools with higher poverty rates.
Guidance 2018: Expanding roles limited access
This report shows a disconnect between the roles that guidance counsellors are expected to fill and the amount of time they are available to fill those roles.
Annual Ontario school survey
Keeping track of the essential resources and programs in Ontario’s schools, and how they are affected by changes to provincial policy and funding.
Health and physical education 2017
This is an excerpt from our annual report on Ontario's publicly funded schools, based on surveys from over 1000 school principals across Ontario.
Our data, in the real world.
Data from our survey is used by researchers, media, and other organizations.
Globe and Mail article on school fundraising
This article looks at the equity concerns raised by the fundraising data from our 2016/17 school survey.
Ontario Library Association information sheet
Data from our survey about teacher librarians is included in this information sheet about school libraries.
Toronto Star article on guidance counsellors
This article talks about the findings from our report on career and life-planning in schools.