September 27th, 2024
All school boards in Ontario are required to seek feedback from students using school climate surveys. The Education Act states these should occur at least once every two years. The WRDSB uses the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) as our Safe Caring and Inclusive School (SCIS) survey. The MDI is a voluntary, self-reporting questionnaire. It asks children in Grade 4 through 12 about their thoughts, feelings and experiences in school and in the community.
About the Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI)
The MDI uses a strength-based approach to assess five areas of development. They are strongly linked to well-being, health and academic achievement. These areas are:
- Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Health and Well-being
- Connectedness
- Use of After School Time
- School Experiences
School Results
Individual school results for 2018 and 2022 are now available on each school website. Please refer to the Quick Links section in the footer section of each school website. Only aggregate data is published in order to protect the confidentiality and privacy of students.
Board-wide results are available on the WRDSB website.
What the MDI Survey Tells Us About Students
Research shows that experiences students have in their middle years have lasting impacts on their development. The MDI survey provides valuable information about students’ strengths and needs inside and outside of school.
However, the MDI survey is not intended to be used to compare individual:
- Students
- Schools
- Classrooms
The overall goal is to better understand students’ thoughts, feelings and experiences. This is so that we can support their academic achievement and well-being.
The Waterloo Region District School Board continues to use data-informed decision making and is committed to building staff capacity, providing wraparound support for students and engaging with the community to help all students reach their full potential.
Learn more about the MDI.