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Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative (ALDCI)?
The ALDCI is an initiative to identify Aboriginal learners in the province. The data collected by Alberta Education helps to assess the educational attainment of Aboriginal learners and the effectiveness of the education system. To collect this data, a voluntary Aboriginal identity question appears on K-12 student registration/application forms.
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 reads as follows:
| If you wish to declare that you are an Aboriginal person, please specify: |
 Status Indian/First Nations |
Non-Status Indian/First Nations |
Métis |
Inuit |
| Alberta Education is collecting this personal information pursuant to section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act as the information relates directly to and is necessary to meet Ministry and School Board mandates and responsibilities to measure system effectiveness over time and develop policies, programs and services to improve Aboriginal learner success. This information will also be used to determine the provincial First Nations, Métis and Inuit Funding Allocation provided to school jurisdictions.
For further information or if you have questions regarding the collection activity, please contact the office of the Director, Aboriginal Policy, Policy Sector, Strategic Services Division, Alberta Education, 10155-102 Street, Edmonton AB, T5J 4L5, (780) 427-8501 . |
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Is the Aboriginal identity question to appear on the registration forms for Private School Jurisdictions or Band-Operated Schools?
No.
The Aboriginal identity question should only appear on registration forms for public, separate, Francophone and charter school authorities.
Is it mandatory for learners to self-identify?
No.
Although 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.
Why does Alberta Education need this information?
School boards 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 learners attending school in the public system.
In addition, Alberta Education's Funding Framework  determines funding allocations provided by the Ministry to school boards as part of their operating grant. Under the formula, jurisdiction allocations are calculated by determining the number of eligible Aboriginal students served by that school board. In order to provide this funding to school boards to better meet the needs of Aboriginal learners, accurate information about student eligibility is required. More information about the FNMI Funding Allocation can be found in Section 1.9 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 may include high school completion rates, transition rates from high school to post-secondary education, Provincial Achievement Tests and diploma exam 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 a jurisdiction as a whole.
How can school jurisdictions use Aboriginal learner data?
School jurisdictions 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 jurisdictions 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 will be stored in a secure area that will be 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.
Is it mandatory for schools to have the question on their registration forms?
Yes. Since September 2004 it has been mandatory for registration/application forms to include the Aboriginal identity question. 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. School boards are expected to comply with their obligations under 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 school off reserve, 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 1.9 of the Alberta Education Funding Manual for School Authorities for more information.
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 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.
If a school jurisdiction 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. School jurisdictions 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 other applicable legislation. It is the responsibility of the school jurisdiction 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?
It is expected that the parent or student will verify the Aboriginal identity question each year and will have an option to respond to the question again when registering at a new school.
School jurisdictions and schools are responsible to ensure that students and parents are provided opportunities to verify, update or change their declaration of Aboriginal identity each year. This may be done in a variety of ways, depending on jurisdiction procedures.
If a student 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 an institution.
Where can more detailed information be obtained?
Client Services Help Desk - (780) 427-5318 toll free by dialing 310-0000 or cshelpdesk@gov.ab.ca.
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