The Ministry of Education today announced the formation of a provincial advisory group to review the B.C. provincial student assessment program.

Two highly respected educators, Dr. Blye Frank, Dean of Education, University of British Columbia and Dr. Kris Magnusson, Dean of Education, Simon Fraser University have agreed to serve as co-chairs of the advisory group.

As outlined in BC's Education Plan, the Ministry of Education is working to make the kindergarten - grade 12 education system more flexible, dynamic and adaptable to better prepare students for success in a rapidly changing, global world. As part of this transformation, the ministry is focusing on a number of key elements and innovations, including student assessment.

The advisory group will examine what is working, what needs improvement, and what's required of provincial student assessments to ensure they are generating the information needed to support successful student learning and public accountability for investments in the kindergarten - grade 12 education system.

The advisory group will identify and develop guiding principles that can be used to inform future discussions and explorations concerning potential improvements to specific assessment tools and approaches, including the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA).

This is a similar approach to the one undertaken for the ministry's review of curriculum, where the first step was to outline broad goals and objectives prior to engaging in the development of specific curriculum objectives.

As with the ministry's review of B.C.'s curriculum, all of the advisory group's discussion documents, work plans and outcomes will be posted to the Ministry of Education website for easy access by British Columbians. The advisory group will meet up to four times in the spring of 2013. Terms of reference and stakeholder membership will be finalized in days ahead.

Media Contact:

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