How Graduation Requirements Are Changing

If you or someone you know is in Grade 9, 10, 11 or 12,  then you need to know how graduation requirements are changing in British Columbia. School District 73 is implementing graduation program changes under the direction of the B.C. Ministry of Education. Rick Kienlein, Director of Instruction, Secondary Learning Services reported on graduation program changes to SD73 Trustees Feb. 11. 

The new B.C. Graduation Program began after June 30 2018, with changes to the provincial curriculum to be implemented in stages through 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

 “The world is changing rapidly and our students need the  skills to become perpetual learners while they embrace technology as excellent communicators, collaborators and critical thinkers,” said Kienlein. “School District 73 is on-track with the new graduation program and I am confident we are doing all we can to ensure our students will be well-prepared for the future.”

 What’s changing

Changes are being made to the curriculum, the way courses are structured, and the way provincial assessments are done. To align with these changes, the Board Authority Authorized Guidelines have been updated. 

 Curriculum

The curriculum is becoming more learner-focused and flexible, with a focus on Big Ideas, Core Competencies, and Learning Standards; and Indigenous knowledge and perspectives thrive.

 New course structures

8 credits of Career education will be required, courses will be designed to easily allow different teaching methods accessible to all students, and health education will be combined with Physical Education. 

 New Provincial Graduation Assessments

Two Literacy Assessments and One Numeracy Assessment will be required for graduation. These assessments are being implemented in stages through the next few school years as follows:

 Grade 9  students

If you are in Grade 9, you will write no provincial assessment tests until your Grade 10 year. When you are in Grade 10, you will write both a Graduation Numeracy Assessment and a Graduation Literacy Assessment. In your Grade 12 year, you will write a Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment. 

 Grade 10 students

If you are in Grade 10, you will write a Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment this year. When you are in Grade 11, you will write your Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment, if it has not already been written. In Grade 12, you will write your Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment. 

 Grade 11 students

If you are in Grade 11, you will write your Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment, if it has not already been written, and in Grade 12, you will write your Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment if it has not already been written. 

 Grade 12 students

If you are in Grade 12, you will write a Language Arts 12 provincial exam, and you will also write a Grade 10 Graduation Numeracy Assessment, if it has not already been written, and if you have also not written a Math 10 provincial exam.