BC's Education Plan

Question 20: Scholarship and Awards Program

Moderator Mike — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:39 +0000

BC has a scholarship and awards program that rewards students for high academic achievement. However, we’ve heard that the program needs to be changed to reflect a more personalized approach to student learning.

How do we change our scholarship and awards program to better reflect a more personalized learning environment?

Question 19: Support for Vocational Education

Moderator Mike — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:21 +0000

BC is potentially facing a skilled labour shortage. We believe schools can play a larger role in helping address this problem.

How can our education system ensure that graduates are prepared for success in trades and technical careers?

Question 18: Creating a New Graduation Program

Moderator Mike — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:43:04 +0000

The Graduation Program is the education program students must complete to earn a Graduation (Dogwood) Diploma. We recognize that elements of this program likely need to be changed to ensure success for each learner. Some of the ideas we’ve heard so far are that students:

would benefit from choice and flexibility in meeting graduation requirements, including multiple options or pathways for success (e.g. academic, vocational)
should meet graduation requirements through a demonstration of competencies rather than course completion
could demonstrate their learning through a collection of work

These are just a few of the things we’ve heard. What do you think?

What should a graduation program look like to ensure success for all learners and support an effective transition to post-secondary education and/or work?

Question 17: Enabling teacher-led change

Moderator Mike — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:57:36 +0000

Questions of funding, class size and other issues determined through bargaining and defined by teachers’ employment contracts are important. But setting those aside for the moment, what is one thing teachers could be empowered to change today that would improve the school experience for them and their students?

Question 16: Preparing new teachers for success

Moderator Mike — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:56:31 +0000

BC’s Education Plan includes a commitment to ensure university teacher preparation programs provide new teachers with the skills to support new approaches to student learning. What should the first priority be to achieve this goal?

Question 15: Learning from inspiring teachers

Moderator Mike — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:55:55 +0000

Think about your favourite teacher. What set(s) him or her apart and how could we help other teachers achieve a similar level of performance?

Question 14: School community partnerships

Moderator Mike — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:50:34 +0000

One of the things you’ve told us is there are resources and expertise in the community that schools can tap into to support learning. Some school districts, such as Peace River North, are doing this already.

How can schools partner with community members and organizations to create meaningful learning experiences? Why might this be important?

Summary to date:
Here’s a summary of what you’ve said so far. Click on the links beside each theme to read supporting examples.

Partner with Libraries/Libraries as a conduit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Enhance partnerships between schools and the community are a good thing (1, 2, 3, 4)
Bring retirees/experts into the schools (1, 2,3, 4)
Have students perform work terms to learn trades, skills, gain experience (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Additional overlap between schools and community not wanted/impossible (1, 2, 3)
Create cross-ministry strategies (1)

Please leave a comment below if you’d like to contribute to this topic.

Question 13: Student interests/passions and learning

Moderator Mike — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:45:17 +0000

We’ve heard from you that students’ passions and interests can play a part in helping them learn. For example, Nancy told us:

When students are offered more flexible learning opportunities it opens the doors to their interests and passions in their world, and thus makes their learning more meaningful and relevant.

How can we allow students to use their interests and strengths in ways that will allow them to learn what they need to learn?

Question 12: Scheduling and timetable changes

Moderator Mike — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:30:15 +0000

Research suggests adjustments to current school scheduling may have positive effects on student learning. Many of you, like Terri, have also said the typical BC school schedule needs to change to better accommodate different out of school activities and work requirements.

With these things in mind …

What changes, if any, do you think school districts could make to school timetables and/or to the yearly calendar?

Question 11: Professional development days

Education Plan Editor — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:20:35 +0000

Across the world education experts are asking: “What do teachers need to keep current in today’s context?” Research also shows that systemic, ongoing teacher professional development is more effective than traditional one-time workshops.

Angie told us on November 22, 2011:

“I think that one of the best ways to support the unique abilities of our students is to support the unique abilities [of] our teachers…allow them to continue to enhance their professional growth and have the respect for their professionalism that they know what their professional growth should look like.”

and

Cori Robertson told us on January 10, 2012:

“I feel the idea behind B.C.’s new Education Plan, student-centred learning, while benefitting students, will need to provide extensive training and resources to practicing teachers.”

How can professional development days be linked to the unique needs of teachers?

Summary to date:
Here’s a summary of what you’ve said so far. Click on the links beside each theme to read supporting examples.

Greater focus on use of technology (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
More opportunities to collaborate with colleagues (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Better communication with parents/community about Pro-D (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Autonomy over Pro-D (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Correcting misconception that Pro-D is a paid day (1, 2, 3, 4)
Concern from some people that Pro-D days aren’t well spent (1, 2, 3, 4)
Alternatives to Pro-D days (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Please leave a comment below if you’d like to contribute to this topic.