The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat

Initiatives

Ontario Statistical Neighbours (OSN): Informing Our Strategy To Improve Student Achievement

The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat has launched Ontario Statistical Neighbours (OSN), an exciting new research tool that will help boards and schools use data to improve student achievement. The Secretariat relies heavily on data to make informed decisions about policies and programs designed to help all students succeed. The OSN database takes this to a new level by providing specific and contextual data on school performance and programs so that all boards and schools can effectively identify and address their needs to improve student achievement.

OSN can provide answers to over 80 billion queries, which provides opportunities for high achievement and improvement to all schools in all contexts, including those in challenging circumstances. All publicly-funded schools with elementary enrolment in the province are included in the OSN database. OSN does not rank schools, nor does it identify any specific individual, student, teacher or principal. The Secretariat is currently piloting an Information Service Desk that will provide information directly to 23 school boards across Ontario.

OSN has already been invaluable to such Secretariat programs as the Ontario Focused Intervention Partnership (OFIP) and the Schools on the Move: Lighthouse Program. The Secretariat is grateful to the combined efforts and expertise of the Ministry of Education's Information Management Branch, as well as the input from many other partners.

Ontario Statistical Neighbours: Informing Our Strategy to Improve Student Achievement (PDF, 736 KB)