The world of education is changing and students throughout the province are going to benefit from innovative concepts being put into practice by teachers and administrators.

These innovations will get a boost as Education Minister Mike Bernier today announced the first 17 projects that will receive support under the K-12 Innovation Partnership program.

The K-12 Innovation Partnership gives public and independent schools the opportunity -- and support -- to explore new programs and practices to help students and teachers succeed. The selected projects complement the new K-12 curriculum being phased in over the next three years and focus on:

• enhanced hands-on, project-based learning;
• supports for vulnerable and/or at-risk students;
• Aboriginal learning;
• science and technology; and
• reporting and assessment practices.

The 17 projects were selected by the Innovation Partnership Working Group (IPWG), a collaboration of education partners including the BC Teachers’ Federation, BC Schools Superintendents Association, BC Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, the Federation of Independent School Associations of BC and the Ministry of Education.

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A second intake for the Innovation Partnership will be announced this fall, and schools are encouraged to continue to submit proposals for consideration.

A backgrounder outlining the first 17 K-12 Innovation Partnership projects is online at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/K-12_Innovation_Partnership_Projects.pdf

Quote:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education ─

“Parents expect us to make sure we are doing everything possible to prepare their kids for the future. These projects will help us accomplish that. I want to thank all the schools, districts and teacher associations that took the time to submit their ideas. I’m looking forward to the work starting – and encourage all our partners to keep looking at innovative learning and teaching opportunities for their students and communities.”

Rod Allen, chair, Innovation Partnership Working Group ─

“Collaboration and partnerships are critical factors in our quest to provide students in B.C. with a high-quality, innovative learning experience that will give them the skills, abilities and competencies they need for a bright future regardless of the path they choose. It's important that educators are leading these innovations, and we're happy to see so many submitting projects for the partnership. I thank my working group colleagues from the BC Teachers' Federation, Federation of Independent Schools Association of BC, Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association, and the Ministry of Education for working in partnership to select the projects. We look forward to moving ahead on this work.”

Quick Facts:

• The working group received 77 project proposals for the first intake of the Innovation Partnership.
• Proposals were received from 33 school districts and 19 independent schools.
• The IPWG will be bringing teams from each project together twice during the year to discuss their innovations.
• The Innovation Partnership is a key component of the K-12 Innovation Strategy announced at the ‘BC’s Focus on Learning’ forum in January 2015.

Learn More:

Find out more about the Innovation Partnership: www.k12innovation.ca

B.C.’s New Curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

B.C.’s Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/