November 29, 2016
Dear Parent,
The world is changing and B.C.’s new curriculum is critical in making sure your child is connected with the skills he or she needs to succeed in this changing world. We have just announced important updates on B.C.’s new curriculum – on how it will be implemented in grades 10-12, and on the Foundation Skills Assessments (FSA) written in grades 4 and 7.
Grade 10-12 curriculum implementation
Teachers, principals and trustees asked for more time to work hands-on with the redesigned draft curriculum in grades 10-12 – and we agree.
The extra time means teachers can try out the draft curriculum and provide feedback before it is fully implemented in the 2018/19 school year. The new curriculum is already fully in place in the earlier grades.
The extra year makes sense because the graduation years are more complex than the K-9 years. They are tied to provincial exams. They are connected to post-secondary choices. We are making sure that we get the Grade 10-12 redesigned curriculum right for students, ensuring their future success in post-secondary and the workforce.
When it comes to provincial exams, we have mapped out which old exams and new exams will be written and when. The most important thing is that new or old, our standards remain high, testing remains rigorous, and combined with in-class exams we will be thoroughly testing student knowledge. Detailed exam information can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/graduation-info
Foundation Skills Assessments
Along with our new curriculum, we are enhancing our Foundation Skills Assessment that students in Grades 4 and 7 are required to write under B.C.’s School Act. The FSA measures reading, writing and math problem-solving skills that students have gained over several years of learning and provides critical information for parents, for teachers, and for the education system.
Starting next year, students in grades 4 and 7 will complete their FSAs in the fall instead of the spring. This means you and your child’s teacher will get results earlier – and that means any necessary actions can be taken sooner. More information on the new FSA can be found at: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/assessment-reporting/new-foundation-skills-assessment
Additionally, we will be giving parents like you a snapshot of the FSA results in broader school reports. You deserve to know how your child’s school is succeeding on a variety of fronts – and we will include that information to provide a complete picture.
Together with teachers, our new curriculum is making sure that your child learns the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, while also engaging the collaboration, critical thinking and communications skills they’ll need to succeed in college, university, and the workforce.
Thank you,
Mike Bernier
Minister of Education