Parents in the Thames Valley District in Ontario are raising questions about a student survey they say is “intrusive” and lacks transparency.
The Concerned Parents Association of London and Area (CPAL) says it’s concerned over the “Everyone Belongs Student Survey,” which asks questions about students’ sexual orientation and gender identity. The survey is designed for students in Grades 7 to 12, CPAL said.
For students in Grades 6 and under, parents are “invited to answer survey questions about their child’s identity,” the website says.
“This information is used by TVDSB to inform important decisions as we strive to ensure that programs, practices and policies reflect the identities of students in this school board,” the board says. “District and school-level teams will use these results to inform plans to support student achievement and well-being.”
All public school boards in the province are required to collect “identity data,” says the board.
The Epoch Times reached out to the board but did not hear back by publication time.
CPAL says it is concerned that schools are concentrating on ideology over academics.
“As parents, we believe that schools should focus primarily on academic achievement,” the group said on Substack. “The inclusion of such sensitive inquiries not only oversteps boundaries but also risks prioritizing divisive ideologies over the educational needs of our children.”
Parents say they’re also upset about the administration’s lack of communication about the surveys.
“Parents have a fundamental right to be informed about initiatives involving their children, yet the board’s failure to notify parents about these surveys demonstrates a disregard for parental involvement and transparency,” CPAL’s post said.
The group also notes that survey responses are tied to student identification numbers, raising privacy issues.
A notice from the school board says, “The survey is linked to the student ID number so that we can use the survey results to better understand outcomes and achievement for students of different identities.”
CPAL has invited parents to write to school boards and Education Minister Stephen Lecce to let them know their children will not be completing the survey.
“It is our duty to safeguard the well-being and educational rights of our children,” CPAL said. “By raising awareness and speaking out against initiatives that prioritize divisive ideologies over academic achievement, we can work towards creating a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.”
Parents and the school district have clashed over gender and sexuality issues before.
Hiding Gender Transition From Parents
The Epoch Times reported previously that the school board has continued to allow teachers to hide students’ gender transitions from parents, contrary to the education minister’s direction that parents must be involved.Premier Doug Ford has echoed Mr. Lecee’s position.
“Most important is the parents’ rights—the parents’ rights to listen and make sure they are informed when their children make a decision,” Mr. Ford said on Sept. 8, 2023. “It’s not up to the teachers, it’s not up to the school board, to indoctrinate our kids.”
Documents obtained by The Epoch Times show that the Thames Valley District board has directed administrators to be cautious about the names used on internal digital platforms, like the MyName System. It advised educators not to use students’ names from the MyName system in the Student Information System (SIS), as parents accessing SIS could see if different names and pronouns are being used at school.
A board memo says, “Students may request a MyName change for several reasons, the most common being that not all students are ‘out’ to their parents, guardians, or caregivers and are not ready or comfortable adding a Preferred Name to the SIS.”
Board documents says students of any age and grade level have the right to be consulted about their preferred pronouns and name and “should also have the choice as to whether a separate form can be created with the name they prefer to share with parents, guardians, caregivers.”
“There is no age limit on making an accommodation request,” says the board. “All students (elementary and secondary) have a right to an accommodation with or without guardian knowledge or consent.”
