Education and Child Care
Connecting students with the skills they need to succeed in our changing world is the priority for British Columbia’s new curriculum. Education Minister Mike Bernier announced today changes are coming to B.C.’s education system to boost that connection.
Designed by teachers, B.C.’s new curriculum will teach students the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic in a way that connects them to collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills they will need to succeed after high school. New curriculum will be fully implemented in the K-to-9 years this fall, and will be available in draft for teachers to use for grades 10 to 12 at the same time.
With redesigned curriculum being implemented, we need to ensure how we measure student success keeps pace. That’s why changes are starting this coming school year to our assessment practices, reporting and graduation program. Key changes include:
- Provincial exams: Previous five exams replaced with assessments of the core math and literacy skills that are the foundation for all subjects. During their graduation program years, students will write provincial exams of both math skills and literacy.
- Classroom assessment: Student progress in subjects like science, social studies, and language arts will be assessed in the classroom.
- Report cards: From late June to October, parents will be consulted on what they want to know about their child’s progress and how they want to get that information.
- Career Education: Starting in the 2017-18 school year, students will take this course to graduate. What they learn will show them the link between the classroom and their opportunities in life.
As well, post-secondary institutions in B.C. and outside the province have been consulted about the new curriculum – and the changes will improve the seamless path for students headed to university, college and trades training.
As British Columbia enters Year Two of the three-year transition to new curriculum, B.C. is building on some of the best student outcomes in the world to make them better. The new curriculum fits in with the key goals of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint to re-engineer education to ensure young people have the skills they need for in-demand careers.
Parents, grandparents and guardians can check out the entire new curriculum – by grade, by subject, as well as assessment and graduation – online: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/
(flickr.com) Quotes:
Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –
“We owe it to parents and to the next generation to make sure we are setting up a clear path for kids to follow their dreams and succeed. Whether they want to design computer programs, build skyscrapers, or start a business, our new curriculum and our incredible teachers will help students build the foundation they need to make that happen.”
Teresa Rezansoff, president, BC School Trustees Association –
“Today’s announcement from the Ministry of Education is another positive step toward ensuring B.C.’s education system is reframed to meet the needs of students over the next 40 years, not the last 40 years. We are encouraged that parents, educators and school trustees will continue to have a major role in shaping the final product. Continued consultation is required to ensure there is confidence in what is recognized as one of the world’s best K-12 education systems.”
Sherry Elwood, president, British Columbia School Superintendents Association –
“The redesigned curriculum will support our learners today as we help them become ready for a future which will demand different skills and contributions. We will focus on providing our students with every opportunity to find their strengths, to be creative and to master their challenges. Working together with our partners, we can provide world class future ready education for all of the students in our province!”
Doug Lauson, president, Federation Independent School Associations –
“Students in school today have the challenge of developing their skills to face the rapidly changing world of tomorrow. The new curriculum is designed to provide students with choice over the way they learn, developing and expanding their skill sets without abandoning the fundamental pillars of the 3Rs. The personalized learning model uses technologies as tools to build and supplement the foundational content with creativity and innovation. Both teachers and students will be able to pursue new ways of teaching and learning.”
Learn More:
B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/
New Curriculum Announced: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015EDUC0057-001418
Training support for new curriculum: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2015EDUC0063-001605
A backgrounder follows.
