Curriculum Concerns
Prince George, B.C – British Columbia’s new curriculum has been creating challenges for teachers in the Prince George School District.
Richard Giroday, president of the Prince George & District Teachers’ Association expressed his concerns at tonight’s first public board meeting of the new school year.
He says one of his biggest concerns is the amount of time it’s taking teachers to make the necessary adjustments.
“Teachers need time. We know that this is not a matter of throwing on a light switch and everything is done, finished completed. Our concerns are over the amount of time it’s taking to do that,” said Giroday.
We are grateful though for the non-instructional day that the ministry has made available this Friday to bring teachers together to continue looking at that curriculum implementation.”
He said another concern is the lack of resources currently available to get the job done – including things like additional materials that need to be purchased or text books that haven’t been completed yet.
“Whether they are the resources that are necessary to be able to implement the curriculum and whether there’s going to be sufficient funding to purchase those resources” said Giroday.
“I’ve talked to a couple of Science 8 and Science 9 teachers who have already indicated that they are actually inventing the wheel right now because there are not resources that match the curriculum and that’s a real concern all the way across the province.”
In the mean time he says teachers have been “left in the lurch.”
“It’s a whole sense of we’re changing the curriculum but there’s things that are going to hold us back a little bit to make that change. It’s a very tough time for teachers right now in implementing this new curriculum.”
Comments
What a difference a year makes. Old habits die hard fôr the bctf.
“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.”
250news.com/2015/09/28/teachers-optimistic-about-roll-out-of-new-classroom-curriculum/
I’m not really sure what you’re trying to say? You do understand the new curriculum requires new textbooks and the government has not provided funding for the books? I fail to see what that has to do with your blatant disregard for the BCTF?
They started the three year roll out last year and the full roll out isn’t until next year in just time for the NDP to use the union donations to squeek out win (maybe) and swoop in to save the day for the BCTF – might be what they are waiting for…
Maybe find out more at:
ht tp://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/teach/curriculum
The new curriculum seems to be more about making each kid learn through his/her passion to find out why 2+2=4 and not just learning that 2+2=4. That is a bit over simplified maybe but there are a lot of resources out there on the website and the grade 9-12 teacher has the option to continue learning the new system while keeping their class the same this year (as last year) or phase in some of the new material found online.
Instead of wasting time delving into why you can’t do it just work on doing it and you will have more time to do it in the long run. Fighting it to the bitter end will be – as he says – like throwing on a light switch on the last day. Right now it is more akin to sliding a dimmer switch
what about all the native studies garbage they are force feeding the kids?
Wow, buddy. Your comment is a perfect illustration of why Native Studies courses are needed.
I guess they couldn’t do this in the summer when they are doing nothing.
Do you work on your holidays? I sure don’t.
Not everyone gets 3 months of holidays a year including Spring break and Christmas etc.
You realize they don’t get paid for the summer right? They’re given the option of taking their 9 or 10 month salary (I can’t remember which number now) over the 9/10 months or stretch it over 12.
That’s only partially true. It all depends on their contract. Some get paid for the entire year, others have contracts that expire on June 30th. It’s all rather quite complicated. :)
Why a new curriculum in the first place? In a couple of years there will be another change. Is it about improving education, or just a continuing make work project for a bunch of academics on the taxpayer dime?
You would be surprised to hear what teachers actually think of the new curriculum. It is complete garbage.
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