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
Highlights from PFE's 2017/18 Annual Ontario School Survey
Our Annual Ontario School Survey (AOSS) provides an evidence-based, objective perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education, including special education, guidance counsellors, Indigenous education, childcare, fundraising, health, and the arts.
The 2018 report provides a blueprint for the new government, and calls for a focus on “the new basics for public education”.
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.
The story behind the survey
For over 20 years, People for Education has been using our annual school surveys to keep track of the effects of policy and funding changes in Ontario’s publicly funded schools.
In 1997, we asked parents and teachers across the province to send us their stories, because we wanted to know if the funding cuts that were being imposed at the time had an impact on students and schools. We were overwhelmed with the response. Stories came in from across the province, and revealed shared concerns about the impact of funding cuts on things like special education, libraries, music, and physical education programs.
In order to see the impact of policy and funding changes over time, we developed a survey to track the key staff and programs in elementary schools across Ontario. In 1998, the first Tracking Report was published, based on the results of the survey. It formed the baseline to monitor changes to funding and programs across the province.
In 2000, we developed a similar survey for secondary schools.
Our school survey reports have become a trusted source of information about Ontario’s schools, and have had an impact on policy and funding decisions.
Annual Ontario School Survey research
2018 Annual report on schools: The new basics
People for Education's Annual report on Ontario’s publicly-funded schools is an audit of the education system – a way of keeping track of the impact of funding and policy choices in schools across the province.…
Does Ontario provide equitable access to arts education?
New data from People for Education show that students in small/rural schools, in schools with higher levels of poverty, or with lower levels of parental education, are less likely to have access to learning opportunities…
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
Ontario 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.
Annual Ontario School Survey in the news
Global News: Report finds students with special needs in Ontario increasingly asked to stay home from school
This Global News story highlights our survey findings that a growing number of principals are asking special education students to stay home for part or all of the school day.
CBC News: Principals spending too much time as managers, new report on Ontario education finds
From this CBC report on our 2018 annual report on schools: "Principals are spending too much time doing menial managerial tasks and school boards are struggling to adequately support students' mental health."
Toronto Star: Students in poorer neighbourhoods may miss out on ‘vital programs,’ report says
This Toronto Star article about our 2018 annual report on publicly funded schools in Ontario focuses on the equity issues raised, including access to childcare, arts programs, and special education.