Appendix 1. Strategic Context

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

The ministry's vision is a high quality education system that puts student achievement at the centre of all decision-making.

Mission

The system's mission is defined in legislation as:

The purpose of the British Columbia school system is to enable all learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy, democratic and pluralistic society and a prosperous and sustainable economy.

Continued progress towards the province's social and economic goals depends upon well-educated citizens. School boards and independent schools have a primary responsibility for students' intellectual development and a shared responsibility with families and the community for students' human, social and career development.

Planning Context

Examination of the ministry's internal and external environments helps to identify those factors that are likely to affect the conduct and success of education in British Columbia. A summary of observations is presented here.

The social and economic environment influences the system's operation and effectiveness. Factors such as the number and location of students, provincial funding levels, workplace requirements, special needs of children and the level of support that the public is willing to provide to K-12 education all affect the operation and performance of the education system.

Summary of Observations:

• British Columbia's students perform very well compared to other Canadian and international jurisdictions.
• Government is working collaboratively with its partners in Western Northern Canadian Partners (WNCP), and with Alberta, through initiatives to share expertise in education, which will benefit member jurisdictions and enhance economic development.
• The Aboriginal population in British Columbia is young and growing at a faster rate than the non-Aboriginal population.
• Province wide, student enrolment is declining. The primary drivers of this decline are a declining birth rate and an aging population, with the larger proportion of the student population now in the later grades. With fewer students entering into Kindergarten each year, this trend is expected to continue for about 15 years. Rural regions are experiencing more extreme enrolment declines due to economic influences in local resource-based industries.
• As enrolment declines, the per pupil amount will increase.
• Also built into the increase are resources for seismic mitigation.
• The number of children identified in special needs categories that qualify for supplemental funding in British Columbia is growing due to medical advances, notably children requiring intensive and expensive interventions. Court decisions may require school districts to provide more costly and higher level of support.
• A growing proportion of our students are ESL, and they are more likely to graduate than non-ESL students.
• There are still a significant number of students (23 per cent of Grade 4 students) that have difficulty reading. This indicates that children are not well prepared when they come into the school system, and indicates that they are likely to have difficulty in school in the future.
• Working parents are requesting that schools provide or link to additional services such as preschool and full-day kindergarten. In addition, research studies indicating the importance of early development in a child's school success are becoming widely known. Such factors are creating pressure to provide early assessment, identification, and preschool programs.
• Child obesity rates are increasing dramatically as are incidences of Type II Diabetes. The need for education about fitness and healthy lifestyles has become a key focus in the prevention of these conditions.
• Schools do not perform well in serving some groups — Aboriginal students are the most visible example. Aboriginal students achievement is improving, but there is still a significant difference between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal groups.
• Children from economically disadvantaged families also fare relatively poorly in schools across the province.
• Rural students show an achievement gap behind urban students across Canada, including BC students, in reading and numeracy.
• Pressure for admission of British Columbian students to colleges and technical schools has increased significantly in the last decade.
• An aging workforce will lead to a growing need for qualified young people to meet employers' demands. As baby-boomers retire, the average age of the workforce will be reduced.
• The trades sector is expanding, and there will be a long-term requirement for employees with specific trades and technical skills. Across many occupations, technological advances necessitate higher levels of employee knowledge and skills, even in entry-level positions.
• The service industry continues to be the main employer in British Columbia. Many students are entering this sector directly from Grade  12.

Highlights of Changes from Previous Plans

This year, the ministry continues to streamline its objectives and performance measures to support the main focus for the entire system, improving student achievement. Key measures are presented in this plan. Supplemental performance information is available on the ministry's Web site (www.gov.bc.ca/bced). The ministry continues to improve its reports making them more clear, concise and understandable as outlined in the BC Reporting Principles (http://www.bcauditor.com/performance/guides).

Consistency with Government's Strategic Plan

Education is a top priority of the government as outlined in the New Era document, in the Premier's service agreement letter to the Minister, and in the government's strategic plan. Themes in the government's strategic plan directly relating to education include: increased flexibility and choice in public schooling, improved access to online learning, delivery of consistent and quality education, performance-based accountability agreements, enhanced development for Aboriginal people, promotion of fitness/healthy lifestyles, and prevention of violence. The education system is also an essential element in support of three other government priorities: safer streets and schools in every community; better services for children, families and First Nations; and responsible, accountable management of British Columbians' public resources and tax dollars.