Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative (ALDCI)?
- What is the Aboriginal identity question?
- Why is there a different question for private school registration forms?
- Is the Aboriginal identity question to appear on the registration forms for Band-Operated Schools?
- Is it mandatory for learners to self-identify?
- Why does Alberta Education need this information?
- How is Aboriginal learner data going to be used?
- How can school authorities use Aboriginal learner data?
- How will Aboriginal learner data be secured and protected against unauthorized use?
- Is it mandatory for schools to have the question on their registration forms?
- Is this Aboriginal identity question directed toward the student or the parent/guardian?
- How are schools to submit the information to Alberta Education?
- If a school is already asking an "Aboriginal identity" question, are they required to switch to Alberta Education's standard question?
- If a school is already asking an "Aboriginal identity" question and it is more detailed than the Alberta Education question, can they still ask for the more detailed information?
- If a student answers the Aboriginal identity question on a registration form indicating that he/she is Aboriginal, will they always be counted as being Aboriginal?
- If a student no longer wishes to declare Aboriginal identity can he or she change the information on his or her student record?
- If a student responds in obvious error to the Aboriginal identity question, how can the information be changed?
- Does the Aboriginal learner data provided by a student attending a K-12 school still apply to that student when attending a post-secondary institution or enrolling in an apprenticeship program?
- Why are some private schools now collecting Aboriginal data?
- Where can more detailed information be obtained?
What is the Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative (ALDCI)?
The ALDCI was introduced to identify Aboriginal learners in the province and improve programming and education outcomes for Aboriginal learners. The data collected by Alberta Education helps to assess the educational attainment of Aboriginal learners, the effectiveness of the education system and is also used to allocate provincial First Nations, Métis and Inuit funding to school authorities. To collect this data, an Aboriginal identity question appears on K-12 student registration/application forms for public, separate, Francophone, charter and Level 2 accredited funded private school authorities (collectively referred to as ‘school authorities” or individually as “school authority”). The choice for an Aboriginal learner to provide this information is voluntary.
What is the Aboriginal identity question?
The parameters in which the Aboriginal self-identification question was formed relate directly to the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35(2), in that "Aboriginal peoples" include "Indian, Inuit and Métis."
The Aboriginal identity question for school boards (public, separate, Francophone and charter) reads as follows:
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Status Indian/First Nations* Please note: Level 2 accredited funded private schools must use a different question (included in the following pages).
Why is there a different question for private school registration forms?
Private schools are “organizations” as defined in Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), and are subject to the provisions of the PIPA when dealing with the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. This is in contrast to public, separate, Francophone, and charter school authorities that are “public bodies” and governed by the provisions of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act). As such, different requirements apply to accredited funded private schools. The PIPA requires organizations such as private schools to give notice as to the purpose for which the information is collected and the contact information of a person who is able to answer questions on behalf of the private school about the collection of the Aboriginal student data.
The Private Schools Regulation, A.R. 190/2000 was recently amended to deal with this specific collection activity. The requirement to include the self identification question on the registration form is now addressed in section 20(2.1) of the Private Schools Regulation and section 2(1)(t) of the Student Record Regulation, A.R. 225/2006. The collection activity is therefore done in accordance with section 14(b) of the PIPA.
The Aboriginal identity question for Level 2 accredited funded private schools reads as follows:
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Is the Aboriginal identity question to appear on the registration forms for Band-Operated Schools?
No. The Aboriginal identity question should only appear on registration forms for public, separate, Francophone, charter and participating accredited funded private schools.
Is it mandatory for learners to self-identify?
No. However, it is mandatory that the K-12 registration/application forms include the Aboriginal identity question, answering the question is not mandatory. Self-identification is voluntary and will not require verification. For Level 2 accredited funded private schools, a different notice is required to be included (Refer to the box above).
Why does Alberta Education need this information?
School authorities require accurate annual Aboriginal learner success data to develop specific policies, implement plans and programs, and measure system effectiveness. Aboriginal communities require similar information in order to engage in meaningful discussions around community-based education projects and initiatives. Previously, it has not been possible to gauge the effectiveness of the learning system for Aboriginal learners as data have not been available to Alberta Education for off-reserve Aboriginal student population.
In addition, Alberta Education's Funding Framework determines funding allocations provided by the Ministry to school authorities as part of their operating grant. Under the funding formula, allocations are calculated by determining the number of eligible Aboriginal students served by that school authority. In order to provide this funding to school authorities to better meet the needs of Aboriginal learners, accurate information about student eligibility is required. More information about the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Funding Allocation can be found in Section 1.11 of the Funding Manual for School Authorities.
How is Aboriginal learner data going to be used?
Aboriginal learner data will be used by Alberta Education to improve outcomes for FNMI students by providing data to support planning for improvement and accountability, inform policy and funding decisions, and for measurement and reporting purposes. Measures will include high school completion rates, transition rates from high school to post-secondary education, Provincial Achievement Tests and Diploma Examination results. Results shall only be reported on an aggregate basis, meaning that information will be released for large groups of learners, such as for the province, or an authority as a whole.
How can school authorities use Aboriginal learner data?
School authorities can use Aboriginal learner data to determine effectiveness of initiatives for FNMI students, target programs to address student needs, identify promising practices, or to determine professional development needs for teachers. Ideally, school authorities will collaborate with their local FNMI parents and communities to develop policies regarding use and reporting of this data, while respecting individual student privacy.
How will Aboriginal learner data be secured and protected against unauthorized use?
The Aboriginal learner data is stored in a secure area that is tightly controlled to prevent unauthorized access to personal data. In terms of use, no access to personally identifiable data will be allowed without a legitimate and justified business need. In short, personally identifiable data indicating Aboriginal identity will be treated with the same due diligence as all other personal information under the stewardship of Alberta Education. School authorities must also meet their obligations to protect the information in accordance with the Student Record Regulation and applicable privacy legislation.
Is it mandatory for schools to have the question on their registration forms?
Yes. Since September 2004 it has been mandatory for K-12 registration/application forms for school boards to include the Aboriginal identity question. Beginning in the 2008-2009 school year, Level 2 accredited funded private schools were also expected to collect this information and make it a mandatory part of their K-12 registration forms in future school years. The Aboriginal identity question, along with the text that follows (refer to the box above) explaining the authority for collecting the data and contact information, must be incorporated into the registration/application forms as is. School boards are expected to comply with their obligations under the Student Record Regulation and the FOIP Act when collecting Aboriginal learner data.
Is this Aboriginal identity question directed toward the student or the parent/guardian?
As with all of the other questions on the registration form, the Aboriginal identity question is to be answered in relation to the student.
How are schools to submit the information to Alberta Education?
Information is to be provided to Alberta Education by the various school authorities through the regular registration submission process made through the Student Information System (SIS) Edulink Program. There are four Aboriginal learner self-identification codes:
- Code 331 Aboriginal Learner - Status Indian/First Nations
- Code 332 Aboriginal Learner - Non Status Indian/First Nations
- Code 333 Aboriginal Learner - Métis
- Code 334 Aboriginal Learner - Inuit
There is a separate and distinct code (Code 330), which is not linked to the ALDCI, to identify federally funded First Nations students who live on reserve but attend a provincially funded school.
Code 330 Federally-funded First Nations Students*
*Status First Nations students living on reserve, who attend a provincial or private school off reserve under a tuition agreement, may choose to self-identify for data collection purposes, and may have two codes (both 331 and 330). Both these codes should be entered in SIS for these students.
Please refer to Section 1.11 of the Alberta Education Funding Manual for School Authorities for more information. /admin/funding/manual.aspx
If a school jurisdiction is already asking an "Aboriginal identity" question, are they required to switch to Alberta Education's standard question?
Yes. Alberta Education developed a standard question in order to ensure consistent information is recorded from all schools. Therefore, it is necessary that the Department's question appear as is, on all registration/application forms.
The two paragraphs following the Aboriginal identity question must accompany the question on the form. They state the department's authority to collect the information and provide contact information for learners and/or their parents. No additional titles or text should be added to the question.
If a school authority is already asking an "Aboriginal identity" question and it is more detailed than the Alberta Education question, can they still ask for the more detailed information?
The standardized question supplied by Alberta Education must appear on the registration forms of schools. In some cases, school authorities may ask for more specific information (for example Treaty area or name of Métis Settlement) if they have determined a legitimate need in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, or the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), whichever is applicable. It is the responsibility of the school authority to verify the applicability of relevant legislation for any additional data they wish to collect (i.e. conduct a privacy impact assessment in collaboration with the local FNMI population).
If a student answers the Aboriginal identity question on a registration form indicating that he/she is Aboriginal, will they always be counted as being Aboriginal?
No, a student is considered Aboriginal only if the current year record indicates that the student self-identified as Aboriginal. Alberta Education is working closely with school jurisdictions to ensure that parents and students have an opportunity to confirm or verify their response to the self-identification question at the beginning of each school year when schools are updating student registration forms. In addition, students and parents can request that their self-identification status be changed at any time during the school year.
If a student or parent no longer wishes to declare Aboriginal identity can he or she change the information on his or her student record?
Yes. The student or parent is able to change this information on the student record. Aboriginal learner data will remain on a student's record within Alberta Education until a change is provided by the student or parent, and received from schools through registration records.
If a student responds in obvious error to the Aboriginal identity question, how can the information be changed?
The student or parent should inform the school administration of the error and the records will be updated.
Does the Aboriginal learner data provided by a student attending a K-12 school still apply to that student when attending a post-secondary institution or enrolling in an apprenticeship program?
No. The Aboriginal learner data is stored and maintained separately for the student in their role as a K-12 student, a post-secondary student or as an apprentice. Students are given the opportunity to self-identify every time they register with a post-secondary institution.
Why are some private schools now collecting Aboriginal student data?
In July 2008, some accredited funded private schools became eligible to participate in the ALDCI and receive the FNMI funding allocation. For all Level 2 accredited funded private schools, the following question and notice must appear on the registration form. A revised notice has been prepared for the 2009/10 school year.
Where can more detailed information be obtained?
Client Services Help Desk
(780) 427-5318
toll free by dialing 310-0000
cshelpdesk@gov.ab.ca.
