Author Description

This report provides a snapshot of the former Toronto (Ontario, Canada) secondary schools as they were in the spring of 1997. The 1997 survey of secondary school students is the ninth in a series going back to 1970. Data from these surveys is used in identifying student needs and developing programs to help students of all backgrounds to achieve in school. In 1997, a total of 21,237 student surveys were received from the regular secondary schools, and 1,535 surveys were received from students in the adult secondary schools. In the past 10 years, the Toronto secondary school system has been becoming more diverse racially and culturally. The percentage of non-White students has gone from 38% in 1987 to 53% in 1997, and students in Toronto represent a wide spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds. Overall, students' perceptions about their schools, teachers, and the curriculum were positive. About three of four students were involved in extracurricular activities, and about 40% volunteered in school. Information was also collected on student computer use, program levels and program participation, future plans, and self-ratings of various skills. Less than half of the students reported that their parents were involved in school activities. The results provide an overall profile of students in the Toronto school district. Four appendixes contain tables of students by country of birth and cultural religious background, student perceptions of the curriculum, and cost as a barrier to participation in school activities. (Contains 9 tables, 25 figures, and 4 references.) (SLD).