The 2024-25 school calendar materials and instructions are now available. There are two school calendar forms: the School Calendar Form – General and the School Calendar Form – Online Learning. In accordance with the School Act, boards must make their proposed calendars public by February 29, 2024 and submit their calendars to the ministry by March 31, 2024.
(more…)Friday January 12, 2024
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
Hi everyone,
I hope you managed to have both a bit of a break and a good first week back to school.
Please find a number of updates, including further information on the Province’s Distinctions-Based Approach Primer that was posted publicly before the holidays. This Primer is intended to assist provincial public servants and government officials in building an understanding and core elements of a distinctions-based approach in all of the Province’s relations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. This Primer will support the implementation of Bill 40 and I encourage all of you and your leadership teams to review. We can certainly have more discussion at an all-superintendents zoom call. We have a short call booked on January 19 for some updates and a check in, but can canvass if there is a desire for more discussion on the Primer.
Have a great weekend and stay warm!
Christina Zacharuk
Deputy Minister of Education and Child Care
For Action
-
Applications for BC Excellence and Pathway to Teacher Education Scholarships – Due Feb 15
Please remind staff and students that applications for the BC Excellence and Pathway to Teacher Education scholarships are open. Applicants must be on track to graduate and meet core eligibility and scholarship-specific requirements by August 31, 2024. Recipients are awarded a $5,000 scholarship voucher for tuition reimbursement at a designated post-secondary institution or B.C.-authorized trades training provider (Excellence) or an approved teacher education program at a B.C. post-secondary institution (Pathway). Online applications are due February 15, 2024, by 2:59 pm PST. Please contact scholarships@gov.bc.ca with questions.
-
2023/24 Student Learning Survey
The 2023/24 Student Learning Survey (SLS) for students in Grades 4, 7, 10 and 12, as well as parents, staff and principals/vice-principals is now open and available until May 3, 2024. The student and staff surveys are available in English and French, and the parent survey is available in 18 languages. For information on administering the survey, refer to the SLS Administration Manual. For technical and administrative support, contact AWIS at 1-866-558-5339 or email support@awinfosys.com. For any questions about the survey, contact EDUC.ReportingUnit@gov.bc.ca.
For Information
-
Distinctions-Based Approach Primer for Province’s Relations with First Nations, Métis & Inuit
The Province has developed a Distinctions-Based Approach Primer to assist the provincial government in building an understanding of the legal basis for, and core elements of, a distinctions-based approach in all of the Province’s relations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Please see this letter from Deputy Minister Christina Zacharuk for more information.
-
Support Materials for Graduation Assessments
Graduation assessments will be administered between January 15 to 26, 2024. A variety of support materials are available on the graduation assessment web page for students, teachers, counsellors, and parents/caregivers to review, including informational videos, sample assessments, and marking rubrics. Contact assessments@gov.bc.ca if you have any questions.
-
New Video Explores the BC K-12 Education Data Portal
The Framework for Enhancing Student Learning website has a new data resource video: Taking a Closer Look at Data. This video explores the BC K-12 Education Data Portal and demonstrates how districts can use the filters in the portal to view, disaggregate, and analyze data for use in the Enhancing Student Learning Report.
-
Call for Nominations for Order of British Columbia & Medal of Good Citizenship
Nominations are being accepted for the Province’s two highest honours: the Order of British Columbia (OBC) and the Medal of Good Citizenship (MGC). Any citizen is welcome to nominate a deserving individual. Nomination forms are online and a brief promotional video related to the Order of B.C. is available for sharing as well as a poster promoting both honours. The deadline for nomination is Friday, April 5, 2024. Nominations received after this date will be considered in 2025.
-
New erase Training Schedule and Registration Website
Changes have been made to the erase training schedule. Information is now available on a new website hosted by Safer Schools Together with two distinct options: Professional Sessions (for district staff) and Family Sessions (for families, students, and the wider school community). The Family Sessions link may be circulated among your school communities. All are welcome to attend. Please visit the erase training schedule for up-to-date information and to register for upcoming training.
-
Reminder: Specialized Certification Grant Now Available
As of January 1, 2024, Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) with Infant Toddler Educator or Special Needs Educator certificates, also known as “specialized” or “post-basic” certificates, are eligible to receive the annual ECE Specialized Certification Grant. ECEs holding both specialized certificates are eligible for a $3,000 payment, while those holding one specialized certificate are eligible for $2,000. These grants will be available to eligible ECEs for the next three years and will be administered by Early Childhood Educators of BC.
-
Science of Early Child Development Subscription Notice
Science of Early Childhood Development (SECD) is moving to subscription-based access. B.C. residents wishing to access the free ‘standard package’ of resources should do so before March 31. Resources include a suite of media resources, readings, videos, links, questions for reflection, and interactive activities. This notice allows time to adjust course syllabi, assignments, and resources. Switching from open to subscription access is a straightforward process, and SECD staff can work with you to make the transition as seamless as possible.
-
Discipline Outcomes
Discipline outcomes are posted to enhance the transparency of the processes and decisions made with respect to complaints and reports about educators. Recently, an outcome was posted regarding Arthur Owen Sanderson, whose certificate was suspended for two days.
