Bill 11, the Education Statutes Amendment Act (2015) will help school districts reduce overhead costs, establish a modern framework for teacher professional development and put a stronger focus on accountability for student outcomes, Education Minister Peter Fassbender announced today.

Proposed amendments to the School Act, the Independent School Act and the Teachers Act are focussed on four objectives:

• building a framework for continuing professional development;
• facilitating delivery of shared services among school districts;
• improving the accountability framework for student learning; and
• aligning the provisions on the disclosure of student data with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

It is common practice in many professions to set standards for ongoing professional development. Currently, there are no detailed requirements for certified teachers to maintain currency of practice. The proposed amendments to the Teachers Act will provide the minister with the authority to establish a more robust framework. Working with the profession, the goal is to enhance public confidence that certified teachers have access to, and are regularly participating in, high-quality professional development aimed at improving student achievement.

Boards of education have been tasked with finding administrative savings and efficiencies, similar to what has occurred in the health and post-secondary sectors. Amendments to the School Act will provide boards with clear authority to enter into shared service or alternative service delivery agreements with other boards or public sector entities. To maximize the opportunities and benefits, the changes also provide the Minister with the authority to require boards to participate in specific service delivery arrangements.

School districts are currently required to produce a series of annual reports to ensure they are accountable for local student achievement. In recent years it has become clear the K-12 system would benefit from more meaningful and flexible approaches. Amendments to the School Act will remove inflexible language and processes and replace them with more targeted, co-constructed approaches to enhance the system-wide focus on student learning.

The use and analysis of high-quality data is essential to improving K-12 programs and operations and monitoring the impact of new curriculum and other learning innovations. Amendments will align the School Act with more current provisions and safeguards found in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This will allow the ministry to disclose and use student data to improve the K-12 system while protecting personal privacy consistent with standards across the B.C. public sector, including health and social services.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“British Columbians expect our K-12 system to be run efficiently, that teachers and students have the supports they need, and that everyone is focussed on what matters most - student learning. That’s what these amendments are all about.

“British Columbia has one of the best education systems in the world, but we can’t just sit back. We need to pursue new, innovative approaches that promise better results for students.

“The research is very clear that one of the most important ways to support students is to focus on quality teaching. That’s why these amendments set a foundation on which the Province will work co-operatively with the teaching profession to build a truly modern framework for professional development.

“Most professions - such as lawyers, accountants, or nurses - set detailed standards for ongoing learning. Early childhood educators have clear requirements. It’s time to put teaching on a similar footing.

“Taxpayers also expect their dollars to be used wisely and that every available dollar is going to help children in the classroom. With 60 school districts, there are many opportunities for shared services. These amendments will give districts and the ministry additional tools to turn these opportunities into ongoing savings.

“The legislation sets the foundation and the starting point. We look forward to working with our education partners on approaches and solutions that better meet the needs of students.”

Learn More:

To view the bill please visit: http://www.leg.bc.ca/40th4th/1st_read/index.htm

Media Contacts:

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