Ministry Policy Site

Graduation Credentials for Francophone and French Immersion Students

SECTION 1: 1995 GRADUATION PROGRAM

This section applies to students who begin Grade 10 before July 1, 2004.

Please see Section 2 for details of this policy as it applies to the 2004 Graduation Program, which applies to students who begin Grade 10 on or after July 1, 2004.

Issued February 2004, and in effect July 1, 1995.

Current policy

British Columbia students enrolled in a francophone education authority and students enrolled in French Immersion Programs are entitled to be issued British Columbia graduation certificates, in French and English, provided they meet specific requirements.

The Province of British Columbia acknowledges the right of francophone students to be educated in French. The Province also supports French Immersion programs so that students may reach high levels of proficiency in French, one of Canada's official languages. Proficiency is determined, in part, through provincial examinations, and completion is recognized with a graduation certificate in French.

See Ministerial Order 205/95, the Graduation Requirements Order.

See also Ministerial Order 164/96, the Student Credentials Order.

Definition - "Francophone student:" A student enrolled with a francophone education authority.

Definition - "French Immersion student:" A student participating in a Board of Education or independent school authority French Immersion Program.

Francophone Students
Francophone students will earn a Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique if they meet the graduation requirements as set out in Ministerial Order 205/95, the Graduation Requirements Order. The requirements include the successful completion of Francais langue premiere 11; and, Francais langue premiere 12 or Communication professionnelle et technique 12. All other Grade 11 and 12 requirements parallel those specified for students who earn a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Francophone students who meet graduation requirements will also earn a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation if they successfully complete English Language Arts 11 and 12. It is possible for francophone students to earn two certificates, one in French, and one in English.

French Immersion Students
French Immersion students will earn both a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) and a Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique if they meet the graduation requirements as set out in Ministerial Order 205/95, the Graduation Requirements Order, and if they successfully complete Francais langue seconde - immersion 11 and 12 and at least one additional four-credit Grade 11 or 12 course, taught in French. French Immersion students who earn a Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique receive a French Immersion program designation on their transcripts.

Students complete courses and Grade 12 examinations, as required. Schools report courses, credits and letter grades to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education issues transcripts to students and certificates to graduates.

French Immersion Program policy

If you have any questions relating to the Graduation Credentials for Francophone and French Immersion Students Policy, please contact Britta Gundersen-Bryden, Manager, French Programs, Assessment Department.

SECTION 2: 2004 GRADUATION PROGRAM

This section applies to students who begin Grade 10 on or after July 1, 2004.

Please see Section 1 for details of this policy as it applies to the 1995 Graduation Program, which applies to students who begin Grade 10 before July 1, 2004.

Issued February 2004, and in effect July 1, 2004.

Current policy

British Columbia students enrolled in a francophone education authority and students enrolled in French Immersion Programs are entitled to be issued British Columbia graduation certificates, in French and English, provided they meet specific requirements.

The Province of British Columbia acknowledges the right of francophone students to be educated in French. The Province also supports French Immersion programs so that students may reach high levels of proficiency in French, one of Canada's official languages. Proficiency is determined, in part, through provincial examinations, and completion is recognized with a graduation certificate in French.

See Ministerial Order 302/04, the Graduation Program Order

See also Ministerial Order 164/96, the Student Credentials Order.

Definition - "Francophone student:" A student enrolled with a francophone education authority.

Definition - "French Immersion student:" A student participating in a Board of Education or independent school authority French Immersion Program.

Francophone Students
Francophone students will earn a Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique if they meet the graduation requirements as set out in the Graduation Program Order. The requirements include the successful completion of Francais langue premiere 10; Francais langue premiere 11; and, Francais langue premiere 12 or Communication professionnelle et technique 12. All other Grade 10, 11 and 12 requirements parallel those specified for students who earn a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Francophone students who meet graduation requirements will also earn a British Columbia Certificate of Graduation if they successfully complete English Language Arts 10, 11 and 12. Therefore, it is possible for francophone students to earn two certificates, one in French, and one in English.

In order to graduate, francophone students must write required Graduation Program examinations, including the examinations for Francais langue premiere 10 and Francais language premiere 12 or Communication professionelle et technique 12. Students should write Grade 10 Mathematics and Science, and Grades 11 or 12 Social Studies examinations in the language of instruction. School principals may allow individual students to write in either English or French, rather than the language of instruction, if the principal deems this to be in a student's best interest.

In order to graduate, French Immersion students must write required Graduation Program examinations, including the examination for English 10. Students should write Grade 10 Mathematics and Science, and Grades 11 or 12 Social Studies examinations in the language of instruction (English or French). School principals may allow individual students to write in either English or French, rather than the language of instruction, if the principal deems this to be in a student's best interest.

French Immersion students who wish to receive the Diplome de fin d'etudes secondaires en Colombie-Britannique and the French Immersion Program designation on their transcripts must write the Graduation Program examination for Francais langue seconde - immersion 12.

Students complete courses and Graduation Program examinations, as required. Schools report courses, credits and letter grades to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education issues transcripts to students and graduation certificates to graduates.

French Immersion Program policy