Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) operates 133 primary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Brisbane (stretching from Coolangatta to Wide Bay, and west to the South Burnett and the Brisbane Valley). Around 62,000 students attend our schools. In addition to BCE schools, religious institutes operate 21 schools, with a total enrolment of about 19,000 students.
In March 2009, 40,898 surveys were distributed to students in BCE schools (Years 3, 6, 9, 12), their parents and staff. Priests were also surveyed. In total, 27,556 surveys were completed (a 67% response rate, which statistically is very high). Questions were worded in age-appropriate language for each of the student groups.
The survey was designed by BCE, with logistical support and compilation of results compiled by the Australian Council for Educational Research, an independent national educational research organisation.