Year-at-a-Glance Highlights

During the school year 2003/04, the Ministry of Education continued to reform key aspects of the education system while remaining focused on improving student achievement.

• A record 79 per cent of students completed high school in 2002 – 2003. In all, 43,985 students graduated — approximately 1,000 more than the year before. (See Appendix A)
• Exam results for 2002 – 03 show British Columbia students earned higher marks on provincial exams than in the previous year. More than half the students who wrote provincial exams in Geography 12, French 12, Chemistry 12 and Principles of Mathematics 12 received an 'A' or 'B' letter grade.
• More than 5,090 BC high school graduates received scholarships for outstanding achievement on provincial exams — an increase of more than 400 students from the previous year.
• The annual satisfaction survey results for 2002/03 revealed that more parents and students are satisfied with BC's education system than in previous years.¹ The satisfaction of elementary school parents increased by 4% to 79%, while the satisfaction of secondary school parents increased by 5% to 69%. The satisfaction of grade 3 and 4 students increased by 2% to 74%, grade 7 student satisfaction increased by 2% to 50%, grade 10 student satisfaction increased by 3% to 39%, and grade 12 student satisfaction increased by 3% to 42%.
• BC students are doing better in numeracy, according to this year's Foundation Skills Assessment results.² In 2002/03 there was a 2% increase of grade 4 students meeting or exceeding expectations in numeracy. Grade seven students also performed better, showing a 2% increase to 84%, and grade 10 students' results also increased 2% to 78% meeting or exceeding expectations.
• In 2002/03 the highest percentage ever of Aboriginal students completed high school. Though reported data indicates the focus on Aboriginal student achievement is showing results, it also confirms ongoing efforts are needed to help Aboriginal students succeed. In 2002/03 the completion rate³ for Aboriginal students increased by 4% to 46%.
• In November 2003, a survey of over 1,000 Grade 12 graduates indicated British Columbia's schools are doing a better job of preparing students for employment after Grade 12.⁴