Teachers Optimistic About Roll Out Of New Classroom Curriculum
Victoria, BC – The president of the BC Teachers Federation calls today’s announcement of a government support plan to bring new curriculum to ‘life’ in K-12 classrooms throughout the province a good first step.
The Ministry of Education has announced $1-million dollars in targeted teacher training this year, as well as dedicated time worth $100-million over three years to allow public school teachers to prepare for the revised curriculum, which will be phased in over the next three years.
“Today’s announcement of 10-hours of in-service time for BC teachers to work together, learn, discuss and share strategies about the new curriculum is a very welcome first step in ensuring a successful roll out,” says BCTF president, Jim Iker.
“Going forward, the BCTF will continue to advocate for the funding needed to ensure teachers have the resources and learning conditions to support our students’ learning.”
BC School Trustees Association president, Teresa Rezansoff, says, “The co-construction of this initiative by the BCTF and the ministry is positive and recognizes the value of all parties in the education sector working together. Boards of education will be looking forward to the local discussions on how best to structure the use of the 10 hours and accompanying resources to best meet the needs of teachers, while minimizing any impact on student learning time.”
The support plan calls for learning sessions for teachers at both local and provincial levels and the dedication of two existing pro-D days to the new curriculum in 2016-17 and 2017-18. It also includes extra time set aside throughout the next three years so districts and teachers associations can collaborate on training for teachers.
The ministry has been working with more than 150 teachers on the curriculum re-design that still focuses on the basics of reading and writing, but also fosters collaboration and critical thinking skills. The new K-9 curriculum was available to teachers for use on a trial basis this year, before being fully implemented next year. Draft curriculum for grades 10-12 is under development and will be in place by the 2017-18 school year.
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BCTF President Jim Iker states: “Going forward, the BCTF will continue to advocate for the funding needed to ensure teachers have the resources and learning conditions to support our students’ learning.”
Yet Jim has no problem with the huge cost of 10 hours of in-service time for BC teachers to work together, learn, discuss and share strategies about the new curriculum!
I’m surprised (not really) that Jim isn’t stepping up to the plate to say that the many, many Pro-D Days that are already built into the school year would provide more than enough time for BC teachers to work together, learn, discuss and share strategies about the new curriculum!
Jim, wouldn’t using existing Pro-D Days help ensure that the funding needed is there to ensure teachers have the resources and learning conditions to support our students’ learning?
10 hours of in-service time multiplied by the average hourly rate paid to our teachers, multiplied by the number of teachers in the Province amounts to an absolutely huge amount of money!
We already pay for Pro-D Days, and lots of them! We should be ensuring that they are used to the greatest benefit, something that many of us feel we aren’t already doing!
It is all about money always has been and always will be. Anything that puts more money into the system for “training” is “good”. 100 million is a good “first step”. Bet you won’t hear a peep of this come next election but rather how things were “cut”
You may wish to read the article again. What is happening here is that the government is adding on two extra pro-d days per year for the next three years. While it does represent about $100 million, by having teachers work on new curriculum on these days, it is not actually costing the taxpayer any new money. The collective agreement is quite clear on curriculum: it is the employer’s responsibility to pay all costs to implement new curriculum. By contract, curriculum cannot be part of pro-days. This agreement between the government and BCTF is great for everyone involved. Costs little or nothing and meets the terms of the collective agreement
Flash, you may wish to read the article again!
It does not state that the Government is adding two extra pro-d days per year for the next three years. It states that two existing pro-D days will be dedicated to the new curriculum in 2016-17 and 2017-18. And yet you state that by contract, curriculum cannot be part of pro-days?
It also includes extra time set aside throughout the next three years so districts and teachers associations can collaborate on training for teachers.
So what will occur in 2015-16?
Guess we will have to wait and see for full details!
Hart guy.. I think it is meant as.. there will be no teaching of students on Pro D days.. not that there will be no learning going on by teachers…
My concern is why the change to the curriculum.. what are they going to start teaching the kids and what will be sacraficed in the change. I know they are going to start adding about first nations history.. but thats about it..
As for extra time learning to teach the new curriculum, sounds strange you have to teach teachers to teach.. shouldnt it be in a lesson plan already.. They live off lesson plans now..
YIKES.. I just read the new outline of the curriculum.. this is a experiment using our kids as test subjects.. Sounds like a lot of fluff and waste…. Aboriginal world views… what is that about.. individualized teaching.. how will that work in a class of 30..
must be saving the liberals money somehow or they wouldnt be doing it..
My apologies. I have been reading details of this agreement in a lot of different places todayand included details not included in this 250 story. I guess I should take own advice sometimes. Sorry, Hart Guy.
Nonetheless, my original point still holds true. This agreement allows the government to fulfill its contractual agreements without it costing the taxpayer a lot of money.
Not exactly sure about this but did the teachers have 2 Pro-D days in September? I cannot imagine a business giving it’s employees 2 days in a month to get it together, give me a break.
restjet.. well then go to post secondary school for 4 years and become a teacher.. problem solved.. then you can enjoy the Pro D days all you want..
After 4 years of PSE I would hope I would be able to work a 30 hour week without taking 2 days off to prepare for my week. Name one other business that offers this perk.
Tell me one that does.. If you think teachers work a 30 hr a week you must have failed math. Do you actually think the teachers only do work when the kids are there.. That’s makes you clueless to their actual job.. Bit you think what you want.. Its wrong, but carry on as if you know anything you are talking about.
So restjet in your occupation there is no on going training required. You will be surprised to learn that most occupations require upgrading overtime as technology and methods are not stagnant.
OK the question was “Name one other PG employer that gives it’s employees 2 days off for training” in the first month back after having an 8 week holiday. Just name one P Val and you win.
It’s not a day off.. I get training every month at my job.. I still have to go to work to get it.. It’s not a day off.. That sunk in yet ? And again you think that the teachers get to go home as soon as the final bell goes off at the end of the year..and they don’t start working till the first bell of the year..you don’t know what you are talking about.. That’s plain to see.
I also get way more time off than teachers and make way more money.. But I appreciate what they do.
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