Academic Handbook 2021-2022 7 b . Big Ideas ( what students will understand ) – generalizations , principles , key concepts . c .
Learning Standards – Curricular Competencies ( what students will be able to demonstrate ) – skills , strategies , processes demonstrated within a curricular area .
d . Learning Standards – Content ( what students will know ) – essential topics and knowledge .
3 . Provide learners with a strong foundation of Core Competencies , competencies that are driven by global and technological changes . These competencies encompass the intellectual , personal and social skills students need to develop for success in life beyond school and to become educated citizens . Core Competencies are embedded within the learning standards of the curriculum . They come into play when students are engaged in “ doing ” in any area of learning . Together , the literacy and numeracy foundations and core competencies contribute to the development of educated citizens . The Core Competencies are :
a .
b .
c .
Communication – the set of abilities that students use to impart and exchange information , experiences , and ideas to explore the world around them , and to understand and effectively engage in the use of digital media .
Thinking – the knowledge , skills , and processes we associate with intellectual development .
Personal and Social – the set of abilities that relate to students ’ identity in the world , both as individuals and as members of their community and society .
4 . Courses are not designed to stream students into easier or difficult pathways . All courses allow for different teaching methods and all students are able to access any course .
5 . Indigenous worldviews , perspectives , and content thrive in all curriculum ( K-12 ). For example , place-based learning and emphasis on Indigenous ways of knowing reflect the First Peoples Principles of Learning in the curriculum .
6 . Literacy and numeracy skills are developed through applications in all curricular areas . A sustained focus is on reading , writing , and math as the core skills necessary for all students , including applications in the graduation years .
7 . Expanded course options in each subject area . The course options reflect a broad diversity and respond to emerging trends and student preference .
8 . Three Provincial Graduation Assessments , aligned with the curriculum , in literacy and numeracy are required for graduation .
a .
b .
The following policies are associated with the new graduation assessments :
i . Required for graduation .
ii . Stand-alone assessments ( not tied to a specific course ).
iii . Students are expected to take the Graduation Numeracy Assessment in their Grade 10 year .
iv . Students are expected to take a Graduation Literacy Assessment in their Grade 10 and in their Grade 12 year . v .
Students must complete each assessment for graduation . There will be an opportunity for students to rewrite the assessments to improve their achievement level .
vi . Scored on a proficiency scale .
vii . The student ’ s best outcome for each of the Provincial Graduation Assessments will be recorded on their final transcript .
The Graduation Numeracy Assessment was implemented in January 2018 . The Grade 10 Graduation Literacy Assessment was implemented in 2019 / 20 and the Grade 12 Graduation Literacy Assessment will be introduced in 2021 / 22 .
9 . Student Progress Reporting . Letter grades are reported for students in Grades 8 and 9 and percentages appear on formal report cards and transcripts for all courses taken from Grade 10-12 . Graduation Numeracy and Literacy Assessments are reported using a proficiency scale .