The Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) is pleased to announce the release of the 2024 Middle Years Development Instrument (MDI) Provincial Summary. This is the first MDI online report summarizing data collected from participating BC school districts and independent schools across Grades 4 through 8 at the provincial level — providing key highlights from the 2023-24 school year and over time.
Explore NowKey findings from the 2024 Provincial Summary include:
- MDI data collected over the last decade shows declining rates of reported thriving (high well-being) over time, particularly during the COVID pandemic. In the most recent years children have reported rates of thriving similar to before the pandemic: 1 in 3 children aged 9–11 and 1 in 4 children ages 12–13 reported thriving (high well-being)
- Children with more assets in their daily lives are more likely to be thriving — new research underscores the importance of connectedness (at school, to peers, and with an adult at school) as key protective assets for well-being
- Rates of thriving and assets vary considerably across school districts and at the neighbourhood level, reflecting the influence of the community, school and home on health, happiness and well-being
- Students that meet recommendations across key movement guidelines for sleep (at least 9 hours/night), physical activity (60+ minutes/day) and screen time (2 hours or less) are more likely to be thriving, yet only 9.3% of grade 4/5 students and 3.5% of grade 6-8 students reported meeting those recommendations
About the MDI
The MDI is a voluntary self-report questionnaire completed by students in Grades 4 through 8, gathering information about their experiences in school, at home, and in the community. MDI data has been collected in BC since 2009 and during this time, over 75% of BC school districts and some independent and First Nations schools have participated. MDI data represent one of the most comprehensive population-based datasets about children in the middle years and early adolescence over time in Canada.
MDI data supports strengths-based research into the differences that make a difference in the middle years. There’s so much we can learn if we continue listening to children’s voices.
Interested in Exploring the Data Further?
The MDI Data Dashboard is an online and interactive tool for exploring MDI data from participating BC school districts and independent schools over the past 6 years. This platform provides a comprehensive view of children’s well-being and assets in their lives at both the school district and neighbourhood levels, offering easy access to data for informed decision-making.
Data collected in the 2023-24 school year have recently been added to the MDI Dashboard, allowing viewers to explore data over time from 2018-24.
Additionally, new data across the MDI dimensions and measures are now available, including:
- Social & Emotional Development measures such as concern for the environment, citizenship and responsibility (Grades 6-8), and more
- Physical Health & Well-being measures aligned with the Canadian Movement Guidelines, including sleep, physical activity, along with diet, active transportation and help-seeking for emotional well-being
- Connectedness to adults and peers
- Use of Out-of-School-Time, including organized and unstructured, screen time and after-school places
Or, watch our walkthrough video: