Term |
Definition |
Aboriginal Student |
"Aboriginal student" refers to students who have reported themselves as Aboriginal. |
Accreditation |
A process involving all BC public schools, focusing on school improvement and accountability. The process involves participation in a school self-assessment, the development of a school growth plan, and evaluation by an external team. Student outcomes (knowledge, skills, and attitudes), parent/teacher satisfaction, and community satisfaction are examined and reported. |
Board of School Trustees, or School Board |
An elected board of trustees as constituted under the School Act. |
Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) |
The CSF is BC's only francophone education authority. It was established in 1995 to meet BC's obligation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to enable francophones to manage their own education programs. Students enrolled in CSF schools are taught the same standard curriculum as any other BC student; however, they receive their instruction in French, and have an added linguistic and cultural component. |
Continuing Education |
An education program offered by school districts, primarily for adults, leading to either secondary school completion or the upgrading of a current graduation certificate. |
Curriculum |
What students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade in each subject. Boards of Education are required to address these expectations. |
Distance Education |
Course work that takes place without a requirement for the learner to be physically present in a traditional classroom setting. Instruction occurs through correspondence, telecommunications, or other electronic media and is provided throughout the year, permitting a flexible schedule. Distance education courses are available to public and non-public K -12 school students. |
Dogwood Diploma |
A certificate granted to students who meet secondary school graduation requirements by successfully completing Grade 11 and 12 required courses (Foundation Studies) and elective courses (Selected Studies). Also known as the British Columbia Certificate of Graduation. |
English as a Second Language (ESL) |
Designed for students whose use of English is sufficiently different from standard English that they require specialized services to adjust to the linguistic and cultural environment in order to be successful in the British Columbia school system. |
Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) |
This assessment is administered annually to all students in Grades 4, 7, and 10. It measures student achievement in reading comprehension, first draft writing, and numeracy. |
Foundation Studies |
A common core of learning comprised of provincially prescribed curriculum to ensure that all students learn to read, write, and do basic mathematics, solve problems, and use computer-based technology. These basic skills are emphasized through studies in English, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and applied skills from Kindergarten to Grade 12. |
Funding Allocation System |
The system the provincial government uses to allocate funds to the school districts for public education. The yearly amounts are derived through a formula based on a student base allocation plus supplementary grants. |
Homeschool |
Students may be taught at home without the supervision of a school, but are registered with a public, francophone, distance education, or independent school or with the Ministry. |
Independent School |
A person or organization outside the public school system providing an educational program to 10 or more school-age students. These schools are governed by the Independent School Act and are grouped into four classifications. Group 1 schools offer programs consistent with the BC curriculum, employ certified teachers, maintain adequate education facilities, and meet municipal codes. They receive per-student grants at 50 per cent of the student costs of local public schools. [Group 2 schools meet the same requirements as Group 1 schools, but receive student grants at the 35 per cent level because their per-student costs exceed those of the local public schools.] Group 3 schools must maintain adequate facilities and meet municipal codes; they do not receive provincial grants. Group 4 schools cater to non-provincial students. They meet the same curriculum requirements as Group 1, and at least 80 per cent of their teachers are certified. These schools must be bonded and are not eligible for grants. |
Integrated Resource Package |
An educational document that provides some basic information required by K -12 teachers to implement a subject/course. It contains provincially prescribed learning outcomes (also known as provincially prescribed curriculum), suggested instructional strategies for achieving learning outcomes, suggested assessment strategies, and provincially recommended learning resources. |
Locally Developed Programs |
The School Act gives Boards of Education the authority to offer education programs that are developed locally to suit the specific needs of the community. As much as 20 per cent of curriculum can be made up of locally developed programs. |
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) |
Under the School Act, parents may establish an advisory council for the school their child attends. Through elected officers, the council may advise the board, principal, and staff on any matters relating to the school. |
Provincial Examinations |
Measure student performance in selected Grade 12 academic courses. Some independent schools in BC and some public schools in the Yukon also participate. Provincial examinations are currently held in November, January, April, June, and August. |
Provincially Prescribed Curriculum |
The provincially prescribed (required) curriculum is contained within Integrated Resource Packages (IRPs) in the form of learning outcomes. These are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do in each grade. They describe the knowledge, enduring ideas, issues, concepts, skills, and attitudes for each subject. All learning outcomes complete the stem: "It is expected that students will ..." |
Public School |
A body of students, teachers, other staff, and facilities organized as a unit for educational purposes under the supervision of an administrative officer and administered by a district Board of Education. Types of public schools include standard, continuing education, and distance education schools. |
School District |
A geographic area constituted as a district under the School Act. There are currently 59 school districts and the Francophone Education Authority in the province. |
Special Education |
Refers to a range of student support services provided by school districts to respond to the educational needs of its students, particularly those who are gifted or have a disability. |
Special Needs, Students with |
Students who have a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature, have a learning disability, or have exceptional gifts or talents. |
