Appendix A: The K–12 Education System in
British Columbia

The Ministry of Education is responsible for the governance of the education system within British Columbia, from Kindergarten through to Grade 12, as set out in the School Act. There are three primary education systems available to parents and students: the public school system, the independent school system, and home schooling. The ministry is also responsible for overseeing the offshore school program. This program certifies overseas schools that wish to provide their students with a British Columbia Dogwood Diploma at the end of their schooling. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education to ensure the proper governance of these systems as well as all associated initiatives.

The Minister of Education is responsible for the operation of the Ministry of Education, and delegates authority through the Deputy Minister. The Deputy Minister leads the ministry and works closely with School Boards, Superintendents, and partners in Education. They communicate and plan through mediums such as the Education Advisory Council, individual district meetings, and online through electronic message boards. The ministry and its partners in education form the Education Advisory Council in order to guide and discuss the direction of education policy. The Council meets three times a year: at the beginning, middle, and end of the school term. As a result of these and similar discussion sessions, the Ministry of Education takes a primary role in determining education policies in the following areas:

• setting educational standards based on the outcomes students need to achieve;
• monitoring student performance and reporting the results to the public;
• working with partner groups to improve student and school performance;
• allocating funds for the education system; and
• overseeing the governance of the system as a whole.

The K–12 public school system is divided into 60 school districts, with a school board governing each district. Each school board is an autonomous unit, formed by publicly elected trustees. Elections are held once every four years to choose the trustees who will sit on the school board. The number of trustees per district varies, but it is limited to three, five, seven or nine, as determined by the Minister of Education upon the formation of the district. School Boards, in accordance with specified powers, have a duty to govern schools in a fiscally responsible and cost-effective manner. School boards also have a policy role and may set education policies that reflect the aspirations of the local community, as long as the policies are consistent with overall government direction. Individual school boards prepare and manage the operating budget and capital plan, employ school district staff and prepare the annual accountability contract in partnership with the Ministry of Education. They also approve local school courses, and adjudicate complaints from parents and students. While school boards may delegate administrative and management duties to employees, the liability of all decision-making legally resides with the school board.

In keeping with the School Boards' commitment to a high level of parent involvement, they obtain the advice of District Parents Advisory Committees. A District Parents Advisory Committee is formed by representatives from the Parents Advisory Committees of each school in the district. The Parents Advisory Committee is a way for parents to become involved in the implementation of policy within the school environment. Elected officers of the local committees have the chance to serve on the School Planning Council.

School Planning Councils are formed by the Principal, a teacher elected by secret ballot,³⁴ three representatives of the Parents Advisory Committee, and, if the school encompasses Grades 10, 11, or 12, one student. The School Planning Council focuses on issues such as the allocation of staff and resources, accountability and educational services and programs. It determines the way that policy is managed and implemented in their school, provided it is within the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education.

Within the independent school system, the Inspector of Independent Schools is responsible for the administration of the Independent School Act, regulations, and Minister's Orders. The Inspector is accountable to the Minister of Education with responsibilities flowing from the Act. These include classifying and inspecting independent schools, ensuring schools meet the requirements of the Act, and certifying independent school teachers. The Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools is responsible for BC's offshore school certification program as well as setting home-school policies. Every child that is being educated at home must be registered at a school, either public or independent, within their district. This provides the district superintendent confirmation that every child in British Columbia receives an education.

The Ministry of Education works with partners and stakeholders — to provide quality education for Grades K–12. These organizations provide coordinated efforts with the primary goal of improving overall student achievement. A list of these organizations can be found in the following partners and stakeholders list.

Partners' List

BCAFN Assembly of First Nations — http://www.bcafn.ca/index.html
The British Columbia Assembly of First Nations works with the Ministry of Education on a variety of issues to advance the quality of education in First Nations communities. It is an active member of the Education Advisory Council.

BCBC Business Council of BC — http://www.bcbc.com/
The Business Council of British Columbia consists of approximately 200 businesses active in British Columbia. The BCBC is involved with the Ministry of Education as a member of the Education Advisory Council Member. The Business Council is also a board member of the Computers for Schools initiative, and is involved in a myriad of issues related to education, skills development and training.

BCCPAC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils — http://www.bccpac.bc.ca/
The British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils brings together District Parent Advisory Councils on a provincial level to ensure a strong voice for parents in the education system. The BCCPAC is an active member of the Education Advisory Council.

BCCT College of Teachers — http://www.bcct.ca/default.aspx
The British Columbia College of Teachers is a statutory body that regulates education. It issues qualifications and conducts reviews of its members under the authority of the Teaching Profession Act of 1987. The BC College of Teachers is also an active member of the Education Advisory Council.

BCFL Federation of Labour — http://www.bcfed.com/index.htm
The BC Federation of Labour represents affiliated unions across the province and has more than 470,000 members, including many of those employed in the education sector. The BC Federation of Labour is represented on the Education Advisory Council.

BCPSEA Public School Employers' Association — http://www.bcpsea.bc.ca/public/index.html
The British Columbia Public School Employers' Association is the bargaining body for school boards, negotiating with teaching and support staff across the province. The BCPSE has a seat on the Education Advisory Council.

BCPVPA Principals' and Vice-principals' Association — http://www.bcpvpa.bc.ca/
The BC Principals' and Vice-principals' Association gives a collective voice to the administrators of the public school system. The BCPVPA is able to represent its members with the Ministry of Education through venues such as the Education Advisory Council.

BCSDSTA School District Secretary Treasurers' Association — http://www.bcsdsta.ca/
The BC School District Secretary Treasurers' Association represents business officials working in school districts. The Association works within education through a variety of committees, such as the Accounting Advisory Committee. The BCSDSTA is also a member of the Education Advisory Council.

BCSSA School Superintendents' Association — http://www.bcssa.org/
The BC School Superintendents' Association advocates quality public education for all of its members. More than 200 Superintendents and their affiliates from across the province form the BCSSA. The Association is also a member of the Education Advisory Council.

BCSTA School Trustees' Association — http://www.bcsta.org/pub/pubindex.htm
The BC School Trustees' Association represents the voice of school trustees across the province. At the provincial level the BCSTA is involved in numerous initiatives, and is active on the Education Advisory Council.

BCTF Teachers' Federation — http://www.bctf.bc.ca/home.shtml
The BC Teachers' Federation represents public school teachers employed in the Province of British Columbia. The federation is active in almost all aspects of the education system and is a member of the Education Advisory Council.

CUPE Canadian Union of Public Employees — http://www.cupe.bc.ca
The BC Canadian Union of Public Employees is British Columbia's largest labour union. They represent over 110,000 workers across the province. BCCUPE is actively involved in discussions surrounding education in the province, and is a member of the Education Advisory Council.

FEA (CSF) Francophone Education Authority — http://www.csf.bc.ca/
The Conseil Scolaire Francophone (the Francophone Education Authority) represents francophone schools throughout British Columbia. They are committed to the development of a strong and vibrant French community in BC. The Authority is a member of the Education Advisory Council.

FISA Federation of Independent School Associations — http://www.fisabc.ca/
The Federation of Independent School Associations represents over 250 schools across the province and is dedicated to promoting the possibilities of plurality within British Columbia's education system. FISA is also a member of the Education Advisory Council.

FNESC First Nations Education Steering Committee — http://www.fnesc.bc.ca/
The First Nations Education Steering Committee is an organization that facilitates communication and discussion surrounding education both within and outside First Nations Communities. The committee also acts as a liaison with government. The Steering Committee is a member of the Education Advisory Council.

PSEC Public Sector Employers' Council — http://www.psec.gov.bc.ca/
PSEC Public Sector Employers' Council is a fifteen member body made up of Ministers or Deputy Ministers, the Commissioner of the Public Service and representatives from the six public sector employers' associations. The Council coordinates the management of labour relation policy and practices.

Faculties of Education —

Malaspina: http://www.mala.ca/homepage/index.asp

UCSFU Trinity Western U: http://www.twu.ca/

UBC: http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca

UVic: http://www.uvic.ca/

UC of the Fraser Valley: http://www.ucfv.bc.ca/