Ministry Policy Site

Policy Document: K-12 Funding - Aboriginal Education

This page sets forth the Ministry policy entitled "K-12 Funding - Aboriginal Education". Scroll down for details, or click any of the anchors below to move directly to a specific part of the policy document.

Title Dates Status Policy Statement
Rationale Legislation/Regulations
Additional Definitions Policy Detail
Procedures References/Resources Contact

TITLE	K-12 Enhanced Funding for Aboriginal Education
DATES	Issued September 1, 2002 Revised and in effect September 1, 2003
STATUS	Current
POLICY STATEMENT	The Ministry of Education provides enhanced funding to school age students of Aboriginal Ancestry. Enhanced funding provides culturally appropriate educational programs and services to support the success of Aboriginal students.
RATIONALE	This policy is part of a larger policy framework to support the achievement of Aboriginal students. Other components of the policy framework include Enhancement Agreements, Accountability Contracts, school plans, and District Reviews.
LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS	Section 106.3 of the School Act describes how the operating grant to boards is calculated. Sections 106.4 and 117(1)(f) of the Act provide the legal authority for targeted grants.
ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS	Student of Aboriginal Ancestry, for the purpose of this funding policy, is defined as a school-age student who has self-identified as being of Aboriginal Ancestry (First Nations, status and non status; Métis; and Inuit). Aboriginal identification must be made on a voluntary basis. Aboriginal Education Programs and Services are Aboriginal Language and Culture programs, Aboriginal Support Services, or other Ministry approved Aboriginal Programs. For more information see the Form 1701 instructions. Such programs and services are articulated in Enhancement Agreements, developed collaboratively by the Board of Education and district Aboriginal communities. Enhancement Agreements are signed by the Board of Education, the Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education. By 2005 all Boards of Education and district Aboriginal communities should have entered into such agreements.
POLICY	Targeted Aboriginal Education Funding Targeted Aboriginal Education funding requires the collaboration of Boards of Education and local Aboriginal communities to develop and deliver Aboriginal Education programs and services that integrate academic achievement and Aboriginal culture and/or language. School age students of Aboriginal Ancestry participating in Aboriginal Education Programs and services offered by public schools are eligible for Aboriginal Education funding. Adult students are not eligible. Students qualifying for Aboriginal Education funding will be funded at $1014 per full-time equivalent. Funds provided to Boards of Education for Aboriginal Education programs are targeted and must be spent on the provision of these programs and services. The delivery and outcomes of aboriginal programs and services must be documented, preferably through Enhancement Agreements. Funded Aboriginal Education programs must be additional to any other programs and services to which an Aboriginal student is eligible, including provincial base funding, ESL and Special Education. Targeted Aboriginal Education funding must not be used to replace other funded programs such as Special Education or ESL. Targeted Aboriginal Education funding must not be used for the delivery of BC First Nations Studies 12 or other basic classroom instruction. Full-Day Kindergarten Aboriginal Education students enrolled full time in an eligible (see K-12 Form Instructions) full-day Kindergarten program will be funded as one full-time equivalent (FTE). Boards of Education are encouraged to consult Aboriginal communities in the development and delivery of full-day kindergarten programs. Full-day kindergarten programs must be culturally appropriate. To qualify as a program eligible for 1.0 FTE, the morning and afternoon programs must differ in delivery and content.
PROCEDURES	Aboriginal Ancestry is determined on a voluntary basis through self-identification. School districts report students of Aboriginal Ancestry using Box 16 according to Form 1701 Instructions. School districts report students participating in Aboriginal Education programs and services on Form 1701. Students who are First Nations status living on reserve and who are receiving an education program offered from the School District offered by a public school should be reported on Form 1701.
REFERENCES/ RESOURCES	Aboriginal Education Enhancements Branch This site contains useful information for everyone interested or involved in Aboriginal education. Enhancements Agreements Guide: a helpful resource manual explaining how to develop an Enhancement Agreement. Funding Allocation System This site contains information about the Kindergarten to Grade 12 funding system. Form 1701 Instructions School districts report students of Aboriginal ancestry using this data collection form. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada This site provides information on federal programs and funding for Aboriginal students.
CONTACT	If you have any questions regarding this funding policy, please contact the Funding Allocation Unit at: EDUC.SchoolFinance@gov.bc.ca If you have any questions regarding enhancement agreements, please contact the Aboriginal Education Enhancements Branch at: EDUC.AboriginalEducation@gov.bc.ca

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