British Columbia
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BC government introduces Bill 33 establishing new class-size limits

APRIL 27, 2006

VICTORIA - The BC government has introduced legislation to address concerns about class size and composition. Bill 33, The Education (Learning Enhancement) Statutes Amendment Act, establishes limits to class size for grades 4-7 and grades 8-12, and on the number of students with special needs in each class. If the legislation is approved, no class in grades 4 to 7 will have more than 30 students, except with the consent of the classroom teacher and the approval of the principal and superintendent, and the district average class size for these grades would not exceed 28 students. For grades 8 to 12, no class will have more than the current district-wide average of 30, except with similar approvals. No class will have more than three identified special needs students. Bill 33 also outlines changes for distance education, including the requirement for school boards to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Education to offer distributed learning courses. Read the full draft legislation: http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/38th2nd/1st_read/gov33-1.htm

Throne speech lays out priorities and promises for public education

FEBRUARY 14, 2006

VICTORIA - In the opening of the second session of the Legislature, Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo outlined the Liberal government's major priorities for public education, including improving education-community consultation, accountability, parental involvement, student services, student health and fitness, and post-secondary and skills-training opportunities. Premier Campbell and Education Minister Shirley Bond plan to visit every school district in the province to meet with teachers, students and parents in a quest for educational innovations. Other firsts will be the Teachers' Congress to be held later this year; the start up of a new "virtual" school offering a full range of courses that will especially benefit rural communities; and a new Parents' Education Network that will provide greater opportunities for parental involvement and access to information. The government will also publish reports for all schools on class size and composition, teacher numbers and disciplinary actions, and it will fulfill its promise to create a teacher employment registry to publicize the names of teachers disciplined for misconduct involving emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Read the full Speech from the Throne: http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/38th2nd/4-8-38-2.htm