High Standards

What students know and what they are expected to learn with respect to knowledge and competencies is reflected in a strong core curriculum. Student performance with respect to provincial standards will be key to moving forward. Student progress will be reported to parents in a more meaningful, effective and consistent manner across the province, enabling parents to play a key role in shaping their children’s education.

Action Items
  • We will ensure our standards remain relevant and robust so that every graduate has every advantage to succeed in life.
  • We will build on basic core curriculum skills but also make sure that students are well-versed in the competencies they need to succeed, like critical thinking and teamwork.
  • All assessment activities, whether province-wide or classroom-based, will support ongoing student learning. Our provincial assessment programs will be reviewed to ensure they focus on key competencies and critical skills and knowledge. Classroom assessment tools, including performance standards and other assessment support material, will be developed with educators.
  • Effective intervention strategies and supports will be available to teachers, students and parents to more quickly identify students who are struggling and to address their specific needs.
Initiatives

Graduation Requirements

Topic Description

Determine graduation requirements that increase flexibility without compromising standards.

Actions Being Taken

  • Construct Ministry team to develop graduation requirements;
  • Create an Advisory Committee and process for regional input into graduation requirements;
  • Consider public feedback through an online engagement process;
  • Take findings to Minister.

Progress to Date

Meetings over the past few months to collect feedback from regional consultations with stakeholder groups concerning desired elements of a graduation program. Participants from these sessions provided valuable feedback on what is working well in our current graduation program, what isn’t, and what changes are required to better meet the needs of all students. Review graduation requirements based on new curriculum and assessment framework.

Last updated April 2012

Timeline

By Fall 2012 have completed regional sessions and response draft for discussion.

Reporting & Report Cards

Topic Description

Design, pilot and implement student plan and standards based report card that is aligned with competencies and performance standards.

Actions Being Taken

  • Determine district partners and projects;
  • Enable flexibility with respect to Kindergarten legislative reporting requirements;
  • Pilot kindergarten performance standards and reporting formats;
  • Pilot new report cards;
  • Implement provincial report card September 2013.

Timeline

24 month process

Teacher Regulation

Topic Description

Create an accountable and transparent teacher regulation system.

Actions Being Taken

  • Introduce legislation;
  • Implement new system upon legislative approval.
  • Elect/appoint the 15-member BC Teachers’ Council (to be finalized end of March)
  • Review by the BC Teachers’ Council of the Standards for the Education, Competence and Professional Conduct of Educators of BC (post Council elections/appointments)
  • Ensure certificate holders uphold the Standards (ongoing)
  • Incorporate the Independent School Teaching certificate holders into the Teacher Regulation Branch (completed)

Timeline

6 month process