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Schooling:

Part A – Plain Language Definition

Not applicable

Part B – Detailed Definition

Refers to either full-time or part-time (day or evening) attendance at school, college or university during the nine-month period between September 2000 and May 15, 2001. Attendance is counted only for courses which could be used as credits towards a certificate, diploma or degree.

Censuses: 2001 (1/5 sample), 1996 (1/5 sample), 1991 (1/5 sample), 1981 (1/5 sample), 1976 (1/3 sample),* 1971 (1/3 sample),** 1961***

Reported for: Population 15 years of age and over, excluding institutional residents and employees

Question No.: Direct variable: Question 29

Responses: No, did not attend in the past nine months; Yes, full time; Yes, part time, day or evening

Remarks: Attendance is excluded for courses taken for leisure, recreation or personal interest. Attendance is considered to be full time if the person was taking 75% or more of the normal course load in the grade or year in which the person is registered. Short-term courses of six weeks or less taken during the day are considered to be part-time attendance. If the person attended both full time and part time during the reference period, then only full-time attendance is to be recorded.

* A significant response error bias in the 1976 school attendance data renders any comparisons for secondary school attendance inappropriate, particularly in the 15-19 age group; however, 1976 estimates for university and postsecondary non-university attendance were not affected.

** In 1971, the term "school or university" was used rather than "educational institution" and the phrase "at any time" was not employed. Information on the kind of institution attended was not requested. This information was reported for the total population.

*** In 1961, data for part-time attendance were not collected. The question was: "Since last September, did you attend school or university? Yes (any regular day-time attendance); No". This information was reported for the total population. The 1961 concept of school attendance did not include attendance at such institutions as technical institutes, community colleges, teachers' colleges, CEGEPs, schools of nursing, trade schools and business schools.