education of bc aboriginal students: challenges and opportunities teresa hebert trustee, sd no.83...
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Education of BC Aboriginal Students:
Challenges and Opportunities
Teresa Hebert Trustee, SD No.83 (Okanagan-Shuswap)
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 2
Challenges faced by students
Social challenges Most Aboriginal students are off-
reserveMany Aboriginal students are a
minority within their schools Special education needsUnder-funding of band schools
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 3
Challenges faced by school boardsLack of clarity about federal fundingInsecurity of fundingFirst Nations expectationsNegotiation of multiple LEAsOff-reserve and non-status
representationRecruiting aboriginal trusteesParent/guardian involvement
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 4
From challenges to opportunitiesMemorandum of understanding, Feb. 2, 1999
“We the undersigned, acknowledge that Aboriginal learners
are not experiencing school success in British Columbia. We state our intention to work together within the
mandates of our respective organizations to improve school success
for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia.”
Signed by the major education partners in British Columbia, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Chiefs Action Committee
and the First Nations Schools Association
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 5
Education partners group
Aboriginal Teacher Education Consortium
Anti-Racism Working GroupEmployment Equity Working Group
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 6
Ministry of Education
Targeted fundingAboriginal student dataEnhancement agreementsAll-day Kindergarten fundingDevelopment of resourcesAbNet listserv
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 7
School Districts
Building relationships with aboriginal communities
Human resources Staff training and supportCurriculum and learning resources
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 8
How are we doing?
High school completion rates, grade transitions
Reducing the gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal outcomes
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 9
What the future holds…
Continued commitment to improvement at district and provincial levels
Improvement in band schools resources may help public school outcomes
More enhancement agreements and improved relationships between school districts and aboriginal communities
May 26, 2006 CSBA Congress 2006 Slide: 10
What the future holds…