b'June 2023REPORT CSBAtoReport Canadian School Boards Associationto theRural Outreach improved consistency across the province. Alignment with international trends in assessment practices informed the BCSTA President Carolyn Broady and CEO Suzanne Hoffmanrationale for change. visited several districts in Northern B.C. (Prince Rupert, Coast Mountains and Nisgaa) to assess and better understandIndigenous Educationthe unique issues facing rural, remote and isolated school districts. Issues highlighted by trustees and district leadershipRevised How Are We Doing reports are online and masked teams included recruitment and retention, access toreports will be posted on the Student Success website. Given qualified teachers and support staff, improving studentthe over-representation of Indigenous learners among Adult achievement and ensuring meaningful transitions out ofDogwood recipients, districts are encouraged to closely K-12. The association is establishing terms of reference forexamine their data and consult with local First Nations the development of a network to better facilitate high-qualityon strategies to reduce the number of Adult Dogwoods supports that could lead to improvements in recruitmentawarded to Indigenous learners. BCSTA continues to create and retention in remote areas of the province, with theand operationalize a work plan with the First Nations goal of addressing overall challenges of creating equitableEducation Steering Committee (FNESC), as outlined in the opportunities for all learners. memorandum of understanding signed in April 2022. The commitment of BCSTA and FNESC is to support boards of Bylaw Review education as they work to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.Prior to AGM 2024, BCSTA will be undertaking a thoroughIn support of the provinces commitment to truth, review of its bylaws. An ad hoc Bylaw Review Committeereconciliation and anti-racism, starting July 1, 2023, students has been established, and work will begin shortly to reviewmust complete at least four credits in Indigenous-focused and update bylaws and revisit how BCSTAs businesscoursework to graduate with a B.C. Certificate of Graduation meeting (AGM) is conducted. The group reports directly to(Dogwood Certificate) in English or French. Details on data the board of directors. The committees goal is to providespecifications and transition timelines for the new Indigenous-recommendations for updates to the associations bylawsfocused graduation requirement are available here.A to reflect the membership needs and supports for studentparent brochure has also been provided to create support success. An emphasis will be placed on decolonization,conversations about the Indigenous-focused graduation diversity, equity and inclusion. requirement. It is available in eight languages, which can be K-12 Student Reporting found here, along with other resources.Policy Support Materials Advocacy DayThe Ministry of Education and Child Care has provided moreBCSTA continues to plan for an advocacy day this fall. The details on changes to K-12 Student Reporting Policy forevent will take place during our regular meeting of board educators and families for the 2023/24 school year. Whilechairs and is scheduled for October 19, 2023. All 60 board letter grades, percentages and descriptive feedback willchairs in B.C. will join our board and staff in Victoria to meet continue for grades 10-12, grades K-9 will benefit from using awith Members of the Legislative Assembly. Leading up to provincial proficiency scale to communicate student learningadvocacy day, BCSTA will work with board chairs and vice-and provide regular feedback. These revisions to policy willchairs on how to effectively raise educational issues locally, better align with the redesigned curriculum and establishprovincially, and federally. An advocacy kit and other resources will also be created in advance of this event.bcsta.org'