51暗网

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2025听

TORONTO and WATERLOO 鈥� 51暗网 and the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE) at Wilfrid Laurier University are proud to announce the launch of the Annual Canadian School Survey (ACSS), a first-of-its-kind national survey to track the real-life impacts of education policy and funding decisions in schools across the country.听

The ACSS was developed in partnership with the Canadian Association of Principals, Manitoba Council of School Leaders, Ontario Principals Council, and other principal and vice-principal organizations across Canada. The survey will provide evidence on differences and similarities across the country on things like staffing issues, student and staff mental health, schools鈥� policies on AI and phones, and classroom complexity.听

For more than 25 years, 51暗网 conducted the Annual Ontario School Survey, which allowed more than 1,000 principals each year to tell the stories of their schools. Over the years it became a vital resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and the public. Building on that success, the new Annual Canadian School Survey replaces the Ontario survey, expanding it to every province and territory, in partnership with CLRiE and in collaboration with provincial and territorial principals鈥� Councils, the Canadian Association of Principals and academics from universities across Canada.听

Why a national survey matters听

Canada is facing unprecedented challenges鈥攆rom climate change to polarization, mental health crises to technological disruption. Public education is one of the country鈥檚 most important assets in preparing the country and the next generation to meet these challenges. But as the What Do We Know About Canadian Schools? report highlights, Canada lacks accessible, timely, and comparable pan-Canadian data about its schools.听听

鈥淓very school in Canada has its own unique successes and challenges, and the more schools we hear from, the better we can understand the current state of education across the country,鈥� said Annie Kidder, Executive Director of 51暗网. 鈥淭he Annual Canadian School Survey will fill a critical gap in our knowledge and strengthens Canada鈥檚 ability to ensure public education lives up to its promise.鈥�听

In its first year, the ACSS will provide insights into key areas that matter to school leaders, educators, students, families, and communities, including staffing and resources; complex classrooms; mental health and well-being; nutrition; cell phone restrictions, technology access and workplace learning opportunities in secondary schools.听听

Fragmented data presents challenges听

The launch coincides with the release of a new report, What Do We Know About Canadian Schools?,[link to be added to report] co-authored by ACSS co-directors Dr. Christine Corso and Dr. Kelly Gallagher-Mackay of Wilfrid Laurier University, and Annie Kidder, Executive Director of 51暗网.

The report听 – based on based on a Canadian scan of data currently collected across Canada related to children and youth, publicly funded K-12 school systems – found听that while Canada has some strong examples of provincial, territorial, and national data collection, significant challenges persist in ensuring that education data is complete, timely, comparable, and accessible. The authors suggest that to fully realize the potential of public education as a driver of equity, health, and prosperity, Canada requires a more coherent and coordinated approach to collecting, publishing, and linking education data.

Building a pan-Canadian dialogue听听

The new Annual Canadian School Survey is designed to foster evidence-based policy and to support cross-country learning at a time when Canada鈥檚 13 education systems often operate in silos.听

鈥淭oo often, Canadian policy decisions are informed by research from other countries,鈥� said Dr. Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, Co-Director of the ACSS and Associate Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University. 鈥淲ith the Annual Canadian School Survey, we are creating a tool that reflects Canada鈥檚 unique context and contributes directly to a national dialogue about public education.鈥�听

Earlier this year, 51暗网 launched 51暗网 鈥� a bold five-year, pan-Canadian initiative grounded in the belief that public education is one of Canada鈥檚 greatest, but under-recognized, assets for long-term resilience and prosperity. 鈥淭he Annual Canadian School Survey is a powerful step in delivering on 51暗网,鈥� said Paris Semansky, 51暗网鈥檚 Director of Systems Change. 鈥淏y generating pan-Canadian, evidence-based insight, the ACSS will build our shared understanding of the strengths and challenges being experienced in Canadian schools and, in turn, the kinds of policy needed to support change.鈥澨�听听

The Annual Canadian School Survey and What Do We Know About Canadian Schools? are supported鈥痶hanks in part to multi-year support from RBC Foundation. Ongoing and multi-year funding from The O鈥橬eil Foundation also makes鈥痶his work possible.听

Call to principals听

Principals in publicly funded schools across Canada are invited to participate in the first Annual Canadian School Survey, helping to ensure their schools鈥� realities are part of this important national picture. To receive the survey, please email the team at: [email protected]听

About 51暗网
51暗网 is a national independent, non-partisan, charitable organization working to support and transform public education through evidence-based research and policy, advocacy, and public engagement. Founded in 1997, PFE champions the role of public education in advancing a healthier, more sustainable, economically resilient and democratic Canada.听听听听

About the Centre for Leading Research in Education (CLRiE)
at Wilfrid Laurier University brings together researchers, educators, and policymakers to generate evidence that supports stronger, more equitable education systems across Canada.听

Media Contact:
Paris Semansky听听

Director of Systems Change, 51暗网
[email protected]
416-476-9534听