Keeping track of the essential resources and programs in Ontario’s schools, and how they are affected by changes to provincial policy and funding.
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95%
of secondary schools have Indigenous education opportunities
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46%
of elementary schools have a vice-principal
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26%
of elementary schools report fundraising $20,000 or more
Are you a school principal?
You can participate in this research initiative by completing the Annual 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.
Respond to the survey now!
Reports on publicly funded education
Every year, over 1200 Ontario principals respond to the Annual Ontario School Survey.
The information from the surveys provides an evidence-based perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education.
Thank you to all of the survey participants 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.
Highlights from the 2019 Annual Ontario School Survey
Our Annual Ontario School Survey (AOSS) provides an evidence-based perspective on the impact of policy and funding changes on vital areas of public education.
The 2019 report on Ontario schools points to evidence that the school environment—and all of the adults in it—are key drivers for students’ overall success.
Annual Ontario School Survey research
Indigenous education 2017
This is an excerpt from our annual report on Ontario's publicly funded schools. It looks at access to Indigenous educational opportunities, teacher professional development, and supporting achievement for Indigenous students.
Vital staff beyond teachers 2017
This is an excerpt from our annual report on Ontario's publicly funded schools. It looks at the many people who work in our schools to support student learning.
Schools as community hubs 2017
This is an excerpt from our 2017 annual report on Ontario's publicly-funded schools. It looks at community use of schools and Ontario's strategy for community hubs.
Competing Priorities: People for Education annual report on Ontario’s publicly funded schools 2017
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.
Special education report 2017
This report is an excerpt from our 2017 annual report on Ontario's publicly funded schools. It looks at the staff and resources available to support students with special education needs.
Arts report 2017
This report is an excerpt from People for Education’s annual report on Ontario’s publicly funded schools 2017. It looks at the importance of arts education, and the availability of specialist arts teachers in Ontario.
Career and life planning in schools
While Ontario has aspirations for a comprehensive careers strategy in education, data from our 2016/17 survey show challenges, particularly in the implementation of the career/life planning policy.
Health education and supports in Ontario’s schools
Ontario’s revised health and physical education curriculum focuses on the idea that health and physical education programs are most successful when delivered in healthy schools.
School libraries 2016
School libraries play an essential role in ensuring that Ontario’s students are prepared for today’s information- and knowledge-based society.
Arts education in Ontario’s schools 2016
Arts education plays a vital role in student engagement, achievement, and well-being. It also helps students develop a range of skills and competencies – not just in creativity, but also in citizenship, social-emotional learning, and…
Annual Ontario School Survey in the news
CP24: Ontario schools relying on fundraising creates inequities for students: report
People for Education's report finds that schools in richer areas fundraise twice as much as schools in poorer areas, reproducing patterns of advantage and disadvantage.
CBC News: Ford government shouldn’t try to modernize education while cutting funding, new report warns
People for Education supports push to 'modernize' school system, if resources are in place.
The Toronto Star: Cutting teachers no way to modernize education system, says People for Education
Cutting teachers and other resources is no way to improve student learning or update the public school system, says a new report from advocacy and research group People for Education.