More Aboriginal students completed high school last year than ever before, building on more than ten years of steady improvement.

The overall Aboriginal student completion rate for public and independent schools combined in 2011-12 was 56.4 per cent, up from 53.7 per cent in 2010-11, and up from 50.4 per cent in 2009-10. During the past ten years, Aboriginal completion rates have increased by nearly 14 percentage points. 

Some districts are showing remarkable improvement. Aboriginal completion rates in the Comox Valley (SD71) increased by 18 percentage points in one year, and over five years, the rate in the Boundary school district (SD51) has increased by more than 36 percentage points.

To support Aboriginal student success, 53 school districts have five-year Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements in place. These agreements bring together districts, local Aboriginal communities and the Ministry of Education to encourage Aboriginal academic achievement and bring Aboriginal culture and history into classrooms for the benefit of all students.

As well, last year the Ministry of Education created a new position, superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement, to maintain community partnerships, support the development of personalized learning opportunities, and further strengthen Aboriginal completion rates.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"I am pleased to see that Aboriginal students are once again making significant progress in their completion rates. We continue to look for ways to incorporate Aboriginal culture and history into our classrooms and ensure that our schools provide support and encouragement for these students."

DeDe Derose, superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement -

"These results show that while there is still much to be done, we are on the right track. Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements, Aboriginal curriculum, bringing elders into classrooms, these are some of the ways we are helping to make Aboriginal students feel welcome and valued in our schools."

Quick Facts:

• Completion rates track the number of students who complete high school within six years from the first time they enrol in Grade 8.

• The overall completion rate (public and independent) for 2011-12 is 81.8 per cent.

• The overall completion rate has stayed relatively constant since 2002-03 ranging between 79.1 and 81.8 per cent.

• The Ministry of Education is currently running a pilot program to develop a new "Success Rate" to more accurately measure the percentage of students who graduate.

• Only resident students who have not moved out of the province will be included in the Success Rate.

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca

Completion Rates: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963