MEGA SHOW B1 MAY 8, 2013
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Two Sections, 52 pages
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Fresh strawberry cream pie was served to a delighted Premier Christy Clark, left, as the special guest of Glen Clancy at the Red Rock Grill on May 2. Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett joined them at the pre-election public appearance that brought out more than 100 people.
Student assessment process being assessed FSA testing, teachers’ evaluations scrutinized Carole Rooney
dent Joan Erb notes that while the review of assessments may reveal The Ministry of Education has legitimate opportunities for change, initiated an advisory group to review she has concerns. its student-assessment program and “I fear some of these changes may it is drawing mixed reactions. result in dangers to the public educaThe ministry states these tion system.” efforts will be directed at The advisory group making the kindergarten to will identify and develop Grade 12 education system guiding principles toward more suited to today’s world potential improvements to by better preparing students specific assessment tools for success, as laid out in the and approaches, includBC Education Plan. ing the Foundation Skills JOAN ERB The advisory group is Assessment (FSA) testing. charged with examining the Says Erb: “The FSA has ability of current provincial student always been, in [the CCTA] opinion, assessments to generate the infor- used as an attack against the pubmation needed to support successful lic school system because they are student learning in the public educa- compared with the private school tion system. system. However, Cariboo-Chilcotin “My gut feeling – and I’m speakTeachers’ Association (CCTA) presi- ing on my own personal basis Free Press
– is these changes are all toward assess kids in the Cariboo-Chilcotin a global change to privatize public in the same manner used in North education.” Vancouver? Is their basic knowledge Other than the FSA and provincial base the same?” exams, which are “now just about Erb says she “totally agrees” the minimal” in what students have to student assessment needs revampwrite, Erb notes ing, but I’m wondering how all other assessworries how the heck they are ment is based the ministry going to do it, and at might stanon input from what cost to teacher dardize areas teachers who autonomy.” have autonomy teachers assess - Joan Erb in assessing now, such students, using the tools and the as creative thinking and oral skills. practices they see fit. Who is going to do it, and how are For example, some students show teachers going to be involved, she signs that they need to have a paper asks. in front of them rather than read“I’m wondering how the heck they ing off the chalkboard in order to are going to do it, and at what cost to answer questions, she adds. teacher autonomy.” “We make those compensations Meanwhile, School District #27 for kids on an individual basis in the Trustee Tanya Guenther says she classroom. Is it fair to Continued on A6
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