The provincial government believes every student should have
the chance to reach his or her full potential. Helping Aboriginal students
succeed in school is part of government’s commitment to ensure a quality
education for all students.
Aboriginal student achievement in British Columbia is at a record high.
Last year, 48 per cent of Aboriginal students completed
school, an increase of six per cent since 2000-01. In two school districts
where more than 50 per cent of the student population is First Nations, the
increase was even higher. In the Stikine school district, there was an 18
per cent increase in its overall completion rate, while the Nisga’a
school district had an overall increase of nine per cent.
Not only are Aboriginal secondary students improving, the latest Foundation
Skills Assessment shows the number of Grade 4 Aboriginal students meeting
or exceeding expectations has increased to 84 per cent in writing, 72 per
cent in math and 61 per cent in reading.
Aboriginal involvement vital
Integrating cultural perspectives into the learning environment is key to
the successful education of Aboriginal students. Education services are being
designed and delivered with increased involvement by Aboriginal parents,
educators and the community.
The Province has 22 signed Aboriginal enhancement agreements. An Aboriginal
enhancement agreement is a commitment made by each school district, all local
Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education, to work together to
improve the success of all Aboriginal students.
The Province is undertaking other steps to ensure the continued success
of B.C.’s Aboriginal students:
- Aboriginal students at selected First Nations schools can use the Internet
to connect to other schools to take courses not available at their
own school.
- We are working with the federal government and the First
Nations Education Steering Committee to finalize an agreement to
improve First Nations education.
- In November, the Premier
pledged, along with the other first ministers, that the Aboriginal
completion rate would equal that of other Canadians by 2016.
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