EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Proposed Agenda
Meeting Title:
BCSTA Education Committee
Meeting Place:
Delta Airport Hotel, Richmond, BC
Meeting Times:
Thursday, June 19, 2008; 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday, June 20, 2008; 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Thursday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Time
No.
8:00
Item
Lead Person
Full Breakfast Provided
8:30
1.
Welcome, introductions, review of the agenda for the day; new
Board representative – Diana Mumford
Linda McPhail
8:40
2.
New chair and vice-chair elections
Diana Mumford
8:50
3.
Approval of the minutes of February 2008 (attachment 1)
Chair
Business Arising
9:00
4.
Tele-PD update and discussion (attachment 2)
Rob Goodall
9:15
5.
Key Work Manual update (oral)
Rob Goodall
9:30
6.
Individual requests for educational programs: TILMA,
Corporations in the Classroom (attachment 3)
Diana Mumford
9:45
7.
Other business arising
Members
10:00
Refreshment Break
New Business
10:15
8.
12:00
12:45
Branch Reports including discussion on the reconfiguration of
BCSTA branches and the impact on the Education Committee
(attachment 4)
Members
Lunch Break
9.
Energizer
Rob Goodall
1:00
10. Planning Review – reflections on the results of last year’s
Education Committee planning session (attachment 5)
Goodall/Members
1:30
11. Education Committee “job description” building on Section 12(e),
BCSTA bylaws (attachment 6)
Rob Goodall
3:00
Refreshment Break
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Time
No.
Item
Lead Person
3:15
12. BCSTA Board Planning results report (oral)
Diana Mumford
3:30
13. Priority setting for next year – what should the Education
Committee emphasize?
Rob Goodall
4:25
14. Summary of the day and preview of tomorrow
Chair
4:30
Adjourn
Friday, June 20, 2008, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Time
8:00
No.
Item
Lead Person
Full Breakfast Provided
8:30
15. Review of the agenda for the day
Chair
8:35
16. Coordinating our work with the Aboriginal Education Committee,
Ministry-Superintendent-Board Chair meeting
Janice Proudfoot
9:00
17. Program plans for 2008 – 2009 (attachments 7, 8):
a) AGM evaluation review and Kelowna – input requested
b) December Academy – input requested
c) February Academy – input requested
Rob Goodall
10:00
Refreshment Break
10:15
18. Education on dealing with the angry public – extension of
Chambers paper on school closures
Janice Proudfoot
10:40
19. Joint leadership programs with BCSSA and BCELC – discussion
Members
11:00
20. Trustee elections and campaigns: The Committee suggested
making sure we build on the idea of raising the profile of trustees
as we move to the fall. Note that the Education Committee would
like to work on this matter on behalf of BCSTA.
Linda McPhail
12:00
12:45
Lunch Break
21. Guest Worker Resolution (AGM referral to Education Committee)
#21 That BCSTA urge the federal and provincial governments to
abandon guest worker programs and policies and to encourage
family immigration programs and policies.
Diana Mumford
1:15
22. Completion rate data – sharing info from the Vancouver Island
superintendents’ meeting on topic and using this information
(attachment 9)
Janice Proudfoot
2:00
23. Other business
3:00
24. Meeting evaluation
3:30
Rob Goodall
Adjourn
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Agenda Attachments
3
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 1
Meeting Record
Meeting Title:
BCSTA Education Committee
Meeting Place:
Room #370, Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 580
Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Meeting Times:
Thursday, February 14, 2008; 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday, February 15, 2008; 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
In Attendance:
Trustee Pattie Adam
Trustee Cheryl Ashlie
Trustee Mary Bittroff
Trustee Connie Denesiuk
Trustee Dick Dickens
Superintendent Rick Erickson
Trustee Linda McPhail
Trustee Janice Proudfoot
Trustee Linda Van Alphen
Trustee Sharel Warrington
Trustee Sherri Yaremco
Mr. Rob Goodall
No.
1.
Kootenay-Boundary Branch
Fraser Valley Branch
South Coast Branch
BCSTA Board of Directors
Mainline-Cariboo Branch
BCSSA
Metropolitan Branch (chair)
VISTA Branch
Okanagan Branch
Northern Interior Branch
North West Branch
BCSTA Staff Support
Item
Action
Welcome, introductions, review of the agenda for the day
Introductions: the committee welcomed new member
Sharel Warrington (NIB); two items were added to the
agenda: FSA (Dickens), presenter suggestion (Ashlie)
2.
Approval of the minutes of October 2007
Moved: Trustee Bittroff, Seconded: Trustee Van Alphen
Carried
Business Arising
3.
Campus 2020 update
Trustee Denesiuk reported on visit from Ministry of
Advanced Education to the Board of Directors meeting
in January. The primary representative was new on the
4
Trustee Denesiuk to take
information from this
discussion back to the board
of directors.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
No.
4.
Item
job. The board gave informal feedback on the Campus
2020 report and discussion paper. Trustee Ashlie asked
for a teleconference, and noted that Board is providing an
update only on what action has been taken. Trustee
Proudfoot inquired about students who leave BC to go
for post secondary education in other provinces. Trustee
Bittroff pointed out that boards of education are elected,
colleges are appointed, not an apples-to-apples
relationship. Trustee McPhail noted the report generated
a lot of discussion throughout BC, and asked if there was
an opportunity for the Education Committee to have
input. Trustee Denesiuk will inquire of the Board about
the possibility of input. Trustee Warrington noted that
Prince George board does have a relationship with the
college there, supports boards having input to this matter.
Trustee Bittroff noted there is no formal link on the
Sunshine Coast to the college. Sharing of information
amongst boards and colleges is needed. Trustee Ashlie
suggested that the Board of Directors should contact all
boards who have colleges in their districts. Trustee
Denesiuk noted the board has on occasion requested
input from the committee, but board meets monthly and
committee meets 3 times a year so timing is sometimes a
challenge. The Board of Directors also represents the
membership. Trustee Ashlie asked that the board request
feedback from committee before making a submission.
Trustee McPhail noted that Trustee Denesiuk had heard
the request to take back to the board.
Tele-PD program update
The Senior Director, Education noted that no programs
are currently scheduled. Trustee Ashlie noted the value
of recent presentation she heard on social-emotional
issues and learning. She recommended Shelley Hymel as
a speaker for Tele-PD. Superintendent Erickson noted
how social interactions in person and on the Internet have
a strong influence on learning and literacy. Trustee
Bittroff noted that her branch is bringing a motion to
AGM for a research department at BCSTA. Trustee
Dickens noted that looking at changes in the library
system would be a good topic. Trustee Warrington noted
the value of pursuing the social-emotional context of
5
Action
Senior Director, Education
to look into speaker
possibility for Tele-PD.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
No.
5.
Item
learning. Trustee Ashlie supports the value of attention to
research.
Action
Summer Leadership Conference update
The Senior Director, Education noted that BCSTA is a
financial sponsor for this program again this year.
Trustee Yaremco inquired about the status of the
conference and Trustee Warrington noted need for
clarification. Superintendent Erickson inquired about
whether putting money into the event means we are
sanctioning it as a BCSTA event. Trustee Ashlie noted
the value of the conference and suggested continuing
BCSTA support. Trustee Bittroff inquired about the
Education Committee sending people to the event.
6.
Key Work Manual update
The Senior Director, Education noted that a contractor
has been hired and a draft is due February 25.
7.
BCCT Standards update
Trustee Denesiuk reported on the last meeting, some
partners not in attendance, good discussion, continuing
concern with lack of specificity.
8.
Other business arising from the minutes
There was no other business from the minutes.
9.
Branch reports and discussion: focus on Fine Arts
Moved: that BCSTA include a pro-d activity on the role
and value of fine arts in the school system, including
information about the extent of fine arts instruction now
compared to previous years in the December Academy.
Senior Director, Education
to include in planning for
the December Academy
Moved: Trustee Dickens, Seconded: Trustee Bittroff
Carried.
New Business
10.
Board of Directors report – January meeting
Trustee Denesiuk reviewed the agenda from the last board
meeting. Trustee Dickens asked that BCSTA pay close attention
to long term funding needed for expanded mandate programs.
Superintendent Erickson queried the longer term plans with
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
No.
11.
Item
regard to the new Deputy Minister. What will this do to the
visionary leadership provided for six and a half years by Emery
Dosdall? Trustee Denesiuk reported on meetings BCSTA has had
with the new Deputy so far. Trustee Yaremco noted that Rod
Allen has become the voice of education in the Ministry as the
lead superintendent of achievement. Trustee Ashlie noted the
importance of reorganizing funding from parts of the system that
are losing student numbers to things like early childhood
education. Trustee Proudfoot reported on what she has learned
about the new Deputy – a systems thinker. Trustee Warrington
noted the value of early childhood education for child care.
Action
The Healthy Schools ad hoc committee
Trustee Denesiuk reported on the approval of this committee.
Trustee Bittroff wanted BCSTA to inquire about funding for the
30 minutes of required physical activity per day for students.
Superintendent Erickson noted that many of the activities may not
require funding, just documentation. Trustee Denesiuk suggested
inviting the ad hoc committee to join us at one of our meetings.
12.
Individual requests for conference sessions and forums
Trustee Ashlie: supports having a three year plan in place for
professional development which might help avoid problems.
Need to align pro-d with the Ministry directions.
Trustee Proudfoot: supports this view and the idea of filtering
requests through the plans; also, have people bring forward ideas
through their branches.
Trustee Yaremco: need clarification on what to do with these
informal requests, so staff knows how to respond. Suggests that
all requests should come through the Education Committee.
Moved: that Education Committee recommends to the Board of
Directors all individual trustee requests for program slots, meeting
space and informal educational discussions at official BCSTA
educational programs come through the Education Committee,
and that suitable criteria be developed.
Moved: Trustee Yaremco, Seconded: Trustee Van Alphen
[withdrawn after discussion and clarification]
7
Senior Director,
Education and
Trustee Denesiuk to
BF items for
BCSTA board
consideration to the
next board meeting
agenda (March).
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
No.
Item
Action
Moved: that the Education Committee recommends the Board of
Directors permits the Education Committee to develop a bylaw
that defines the operational aspects of the Education Committee
program; this would include terms of reference outlining the
vision, goals for review, planning sessions for development and
review, timelines and processes for trustee submissions.
Moved: Trustee Proudfoot; Seconded: Trustee Ashlie.
Carried.
Moved: that the Education Committee recommend to the Board of
Directors that until a process for screening “Trustee requests” has
been developed, all requests received be deferred with the reason
that planning is now complete for AGM, and that applicants
formalize their request in a written format and submit such
applications to the BCSTA Education Committee by May 15,
2008, with rationale for their request.
Moved: Trustee Bittroff; Seconded: Trustee Yaremco.
Defeated.
Moved: that the Education Committee recommends to the Board
of Directors that BCSTA not assign staff time to supporting
individual or group gatherings outside of the educational program
provided, other than providing meeting space availability only
within the hotel, at no cost to BCSTA.
Moved: Trustee Ashlie; Seconded: Trustee Yaremco.
Carried.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
13.
AGM planning report – assessment follow up
The Committee asked the Senior Director, Education to ensure
that Monica Pamer builds on the recommendations of her report –
next steps for boards and trustees.
14.
BCSTA support for trustee attendance at non-BCSTA
conferences
Moved: the Education Committee recommends that the Board of
Directors develop policy that states the BCSTA will not provide
financial support for trustees to attend non-BCSTA conferences
unless the trustee is a designate of a BCSTA standing committee
and approved by the Board of Directors.
Senior Director,
Education to follow
up with Monica.
Senior Director,
Education to bring
to the attention of
the BCSTA Board.
Moved: Trustee Proudfoot; Seconded: Trustee Ashlie.
Carried.
15.
Interactive Innovations report
The Committee heard a report on Interactive Innovations and
reviewed program materials.
16.
Senior Director,
Education to ensure
that board chairs
receive information
on the conference.
BCELC meeting on leadership certification
The Committee heard a report on the BCELC’s activities and in
particular the newly approved program for teacher leadership.
17.
The Committee shared a joint breakfast with the Aboriginal
Education Committee on Friday morning.
18.
Guest speaker presentation: the 2010 Olympic plans for education
The Committee heard a report on the K-12 education plans for the
2010 Olympics from Don Black.
19.
The Education Committee legacy: review of planning results from Senior Director,
June 2007, review of year to date and suggestions for future
Education to follow
direction, priorities, processes for the Education Committee
up on Committee
suggestions and
The Committee commended the Senior Director, Education for
motion.
aligning planning with the results of the Education Committee
visioning activities.
Members suggested that the Vision and Goals be given high
priority in all Committee publications, including requests for
branch reports.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The Committee suggested including a letter from the Education
Committee in the AGM package along with the report.
The Committee suggested making sure we build on the idea of
raising the profile of trustees as we move to the fall. Note that the
Education Committee would like to work on this matter on behalf
of BCSTA.
Moved: that we remove [K-12] from our goal statement.
Moved: Trustee Bittroff; Seconded: Trustee Yaremco
Carried.
20.
Other business:
FSA: Trustee Dickens noted that it has gone very smoothly in his
district. Administrators worked hard at this. Presentations to all
Grade 4 and Grade 7 teachers.
Possible future presenter: Dr. Shelley Hymel, UBC. (Trustee
Ashlie)
Future topics: review of BCSTA policies; working more closely
with researchers doing work of interest to trustees; Education
Committee representation at summer leadership conference; pro-d
on fine arts; Abbotsford school board paperless meeting system;
education supporting the whole child. Trustee McPhail pointed
out that branch representatives are encouraged to send names of
speakers and topic suggestions directly to the Senior Director,
Education for consideration.
Motion to Adjourn
Moved: Trustee Adam; Seconded: Trustee Yaremco
Carried.
10
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 2
Tele-PD Survey – Summary Report
May 2008
Excerpts from the results of our recent survey regarding Tele-PD appear below. About 70 people
responded to the online questionnaire. The items below are renumbered for this report. The
complete survey results with the original numbering are available in PDF format.
1. In the past couple of years how often have you participated in a BCSTA Tele-PD
program?
Choices
Never
Once or twice
Every one
Frequency
56
16
1
Percent
76.7
21.9
1.4
2. When scheduling Tele-PD in the future, what day of the week is best for you (rank order,
1 for first choice, 2 for second choice, etc.)?
Choices
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Frequency
27
50
40
38
42
31
41
Percent
9.1
28.7
19.4
14.4
9.9
9.7
8.7
3. When scheduling Tele-PD in the future, what time of day is best for you (rank order, 1
for first choice, 2 for second choice, etc.)?
Choices
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Frequency
27
41
28
28
27
30
41
11
Percent
16.4
26.9
12.9
8.1
7.2
9.5
19.2
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
4. How often during the year would you like BCSTA to offer Tele-PD programs?
Choices
0 (not interested)
1 – 2 per year
3 – 4 per year
5 – 6 per year
Frequency
7
39
22
2
Percent
10.0
55.7
31.4
2.9
5. Where do you prefer to participate in Tele-PD programs?
Choices
Home
Board office
Other
Frequency
59
31
5
Percent
77.6
40.8
6.6
6. How much advance notice do you need regarding dates and times of Tele-PD programs?
Choices
A few weeks
A few months
Next year’s schedule
Frequency
54
13
4
Percent
76.1
18.3
5.6
7. What is the best way to get information to you about Tele-PD programs (click all that
apply)?
Choices
E-mail
e-Digest
BCSTA Web site
Other
Frequency
68
30
12
4
Percent
90.7
40.0
16.0
5.3
8. How familiar are you with a computer?
Choices
Not at all
Hardly proficient
Semi proficient
Fairly proficient
Expert
Frequency
0
7
22
41
3
12
Percent
0.0
9.6
30.1
56.2
4.1
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
9. How familiar are you with Elluminate Web Conferencing software?
Choices
Not at all
Hardly proficient
Semi proficient
Fairly proficient
Expert
Frequency
53
9
8
3
0
Percent
72.6
12.3
11.0
4.1
0.0
10. What would make Tele-PD more appealing?
 Many say they don’t know enough about it to make a judgment.
 Relevant, current topics and really good speakers mentioned several times.
11. What topics would you like to see offered?
 Respondents listed a wide array of topics with no consistent theme emerging. Several
mentioned “governance” education – orientation for new trustees and the role of the
board. Dealing with FSA issues was also mentioned two or three times.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 3
BACKGROUNDER - Update
For:
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Subject:
Requests From Individual Trustees for Program Topics
BACKGROUND
During the past year, BCSTA staff have received an increasing
number of requests from individual trustees to include program
topics in our education conferences and other events. While we are
always interested in hearing from our members about important
issues, we would like some direction on how to respond when the
requests come from one individual and appear to be supporting a
particular point of view. For example, within the past two months
we have received one request to offer a program based around the
film Corporations in the Classroom and another to fit a half-day
program on community schools into our AGM or Academy.
At its May 2008 meeting, the BCSTA Board of Directors discussed
how to best handle situations regarding advocacy support and
endorsement for groups and individuals at BCSTA events. The
Board asked the President to organize a subcommittee to review
current practices and to make recommendations to the Board.
Prepared by: Rob Goodall, Senior Director, Education
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 4
BCSTA Branches, Meetings & Representatives
2008-2009
Branch
Fall Meeting Dates
Location
Board Liaison
EdCom Rep
Fraser Valley
Sep 25, 2008
Langley
Cheryl Ashlie
Kootenay Boundary
Sep 19-21, 2008
Christina Lake
Metropolitan
No meeting
Melissa Hyndes
Teresa Rezansoff,
Penny Tees
Diana Mumford
North West
Not yet available
Smithers
Penny Tees
Sherri Yaremco
Northern Interior
Oct 17-19, 2008
Dawson Creek
Teresa Rezansoff
Sharel Warrington
Okanagan
Oct 3-4, 2008
Salmon Arm
Gordon Swan
Linda Van Alphen
South Coast
No meeting
Diana Mumford
Mary Bittroff
Vancouver Island
Sep 19-20, 2008
Michael McEvoy
Janice Proudfoot
Diana Mumford,
BoD Rep.
Rick Erickson,
BCSSA
Nanaimo
15
Pattie Adam
Linda McPhail
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 5
Education Committee Planning Session – Notes
June 21-23, 2007
Group 1 – Notes About Desirable Accomplishments
 Relationship building: Education Committee/BCSTA Board/Ministry/Branches/ individual
trustees
 We will be successful when the Ministry views the Education Committee as a tool for
educating trustees on initiatives to come or coming from them
 Build strong profile
 Research best educational practice – analyze data  communicate ideas on best practice 
link on website to Board best practice
 Be a sounding board for the Ministry on current issues and educational initiatives and from
us to the Ministry
 Education Committee booklet
 Trustees mentoring other trustees
 Recommend relevant topics for academies – topic focused as a whole – alignment
 Equip trustees to do their job more effectively
 Focus on how to draw in our 18-25 year old to the importance of school boards and
education
 T-shirts for the committee
 Think outside the box – are we employing the best models for pro-d
Group 2 – Notes About Desirable Relationships
 Co-relationship with Chair  Board rep liaison  Ed Committee members
 Establish an information loop to/from Committee to board chairs and on to trustee
 Joint meeting with BCSTA Board of Directors and Ed Committee to align focus
 Feedback on recommendations (positive or negative)
 On reactions ask for response by ____ (date)
 Comprehensive report on committee meeting to Board of Directors and trustees
 Brochure – what we do? – to everyone
 Timing issues. Phone tree
 Survey prior to Branch meetings on focus topics, e.g. “Assessment for Learning”
 List of Pro-D available to branches
 Searchable “promising practices” database and reports
 Profile Ed Committee at academies – T-shirts
 More opportunities to meet – teleconference/face-to-face/Webcast/conference
 To build good relationships circulate coordinated information out to boards/branches. Use eAlert/Digest/PowerPoint for presentations for education reps if needed
16
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Group 3 – Notes About Guidelines For Committee Operations
 Productive
 Members of Branch providing feedback overall improve two-way communications
 New member brochure/binder
 Appreciate admin support (want to acknowledge before improvement statements)
 Maybe get minutes of meetings quicker
 Branch reports on BCSTA website
 Vision statement for committee
 Statement of purpose
 Agendas
 Specific to purpose
 Vision is always linked to topics or vice-versa
 Control speaking times and lengthy discussion. Possibly follow Roberts Rules
 Active listening
 Respectful dialogue - not meant to say we are disrespectful but want to maintain our good
behaviour
 Work must be consistent with terms of reference as laid out in BCSTA Bylaws
 Do a contest via e-Alert/Digest that gives a prize to someone who can provide an answer to
something from the branch reports
 Visibility of Ed Committee needs to be systemic – t-shirts
 Branch reports could be based on our agenda topics
 Information flow/loop must be a feedback process so we have the information from the
Branches that feed our discussions. Therefore we need to design our agendas and work flows
out from that
 Branch reports still good but we need to define their content. Maybe need a template that will
include our agenda topics
 Current template means we provide the focus topic
 Coordinated branch meetings so they recognize their purpose is to provide good feedback to
the Ed Committee rep so the person has another opportunity for feedback
 Circulation of all of our communications slightly quicker
 Increase the productivity at the AGM branch meetings, possibly Ed Committee provides a
focus topic. Make use of this opportunity
Notes About Desirable Events
 Forum platform events
 Aboriginal events
 Fine Arts showcase – art/music/dance
 Trustee activity/physical movement (Action Schools)
 Visit/tour to the Ministry of Education in Victoria
 Have an event on a docked cruise ship
 Post secondary educational teacher training. How do we prepare our teachers?
 Pre-Olympic intro
 Within our mandate – interactive forum with MLA-Ministers-related ministries
17
EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Collaborative events – BCTF, BCSDSTA, BCPVPA, BCSSA, BCCPAC, CUPE, support
staff unions
Notes About Conference Topics
 Staff health
 Literacy plans
 Grad rates and transition, Gr. 1112. Grade transition – post secondary
 At risk ESL students – not yet meeting standards
 Aboriginal education
 2020 Report – teacher training
 Trustee governance
 Who are we? Does the system know who we are – public?
 Reviewing and stating our purpose
 Healthy schools
 Exploring best practice – long term plans 2010-2015-2020 riding out the education
implications of declining enrollment
 Cyber schools – distance education – socialize kids
 Educational issues  children in poverty, targeting vulnerable for Strong Start
 Sustainability – saving $ initiatives
 Succession
 SPCs – are they working
 Environmental issues
 Safety School/Global
Notes About Speakers
 Alan Blankstein
 Author of “Freedom Writers’ Diary”
 Bill Richardson
 Comedian
 Dennis Tupman
 Frank McKenna
 Iona Campagnolo
 Mary Collins
 Olympic/paralympic athlete
 Rick Hansen
 Rick Mercer
 Ruth Sutton
 Stephen Lewis
Speakers from within


Local community leaders
Ministry representatives – directors
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE




Post-secondary deans of colleges, etc.
Student – connect to topic
Students/student leaders
Superintendents – present and retired
Notes About Our Vision
 Support membership and Board. Educational leadership
 Trustees are education leaders
 Trustees leading education
 Responsive
 Improved student achievement
 Communication hub/link/centre
 Leading the way to trustee development for student achievement. Linking education to
trustees
 Beam, spotlight, dissemination
 Communication – education – support
Vision Statement
Education * Communication * Support
Leading the way to trustee development for student achievement
Goals
1. Raised profile of all trustees amongst the education community and the general public.
2. Enhanced alignment of activities that support professional development of all trustees.
19
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 6
BCSTA Bylaws – Section 12 (e)
Education Committee
The president shall appoint an Education Committee within two (2) weeks of the President
assuming office and the members of the Committee shall hold office from their appointment to
the close of the next AGM. The Committee shall consist of an Education Committee
representative of each branch as elected by each branch and a member of the Board of Directors
of the Association (other than the executive director) who shall also act as a liaison between the
Committee and the Board of Directors.
The duties of the Education Committee shall include:
a. to formulate the program of the Annual General meeting and make arrangements
so as to facilitate and support activities at the AGM;
b. to identify educational issues of concern to school boards and trustees in British
Columbia;
c. to share knowledge regarding research and policies related to public school
education;
d. to formulate recommendations for action by the Board of Directors, the Provincial
Council and the membership at general meetings on education matters of
provincial concern;
e. to establish opportunities for the discussion of education issues;
f. to recommend topics for leadership development seminars.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Committee Roles and Responsibilities
Sample for Discussion Only
BCSTA Education Committee
Purposes
1. To make recommendations regarding professional development activities for BC boards
of education and school trustees
2. To review and consider relevant information about educational matters
3. To bring recommendations and motions regarding educational matters to the Board of
Directors and/or Provincial Council as needed
Specific Responsibilities
1. To identify educational issues of concern to school boards and trustees in British
Columbia;
2. To gather and share knowledge regarding research and policies related to public
education;
3. To establish opportunities for the discussion of education issues;
4. To advise on the educational program for the Annual General Meeting and other trustee
development activities;
5. To recommend action by the Board of Directors, the Provincial Council and the
membership at Annual General Meetings on education matters of provincial concern.
Membership & Officers
1. One member from each branch of the Association (8)
2. One member representing the Board of Directors (1)
3. One member representing the BC School Superintendents’ Association (1)
4. The President of the Association formally appoints the Committee members within 2
weeks of the Annual General Meeting each year
5. The Committee elects a Chair and Vice-Chair annually at the first meeting following the
BCSTA Annual General Meeting
6. The BCSTA Senior Director of Education attends meetings and provides staff support to
the Committee
Decision Making
1. Six members constitute a quorum
2. Formal recommendations for action must be presented as motions, duly moved and
seconded
3. Motions must be passed by a simple majority of those members present
Meetings
1. The Committee will meet at least four times per year and/or at the call of the Chair.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
2. One meeting must be held at least sixty days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Reporting Relationship
1. The Committee reports to the BCSTA Board Directors;
2. Members report individually to the bodies that they represent;
3. Draft minutes of meetings are presented to the next meeting of the Committee for final
approval;
4. The Board of Directors representative on the Committee presents the approved minutes to
the next meeting of the Board;
5. The Committee Chair presents summary reports to the Provincial Council meetings and
to the Annual General Meeting;
6. Minutes and records of Committee meetings and business are filed online in accordance
with Association practices.
Reference: BCSTA Bylaws, Section 12 (e)
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 7
BCSTA 104th AGM Evaluation Synopsis
Annual General Meeting and Conference Sessions
Over 120 people responded to the online evaluation questionnaire regarding the AGM.
Accomplishments
1. The keynote speakers, Bob Rae and Mary Delagardelle, were well received by most
delegates and received numeric scores of 3.32/4.00 and 3.27/4.00 respectively.
2. Other top rated items in the numeric evaluation results were:






BCSTA staff support
Dance Band (Wager - Saturday night)
Meeting facilities
Student performers
Conference materials (registration package, handouts, etc.)
Hotel accommodations
3. Concurrent workshops all received at least a “satisfactory” rating (>2.5); those on district
literacy plans and aboriginal environmental education programs received the highest
ratings.
4. There were many suggestions for improvement in the business meeting part of the AGM
(see below), but all aspects polled received ratings of at least 3.00/4.00 – a good rating.
5. Most delegates appreciated the additional room and the service at the Westin Bayshore
Hotel, although there are concerns about the cost.
Improvements
1. The most strongly expressed concern was that the Annual General Meeting carried over
into Sunday. Many respondents commented that the focus of the AGM should be on the
business meeting more than the educational sessions.
2. Although the Westin Bayshore was a much more comfortable venue than the Coast Plaza,
there were concerns about cost. Further, while most respondents were pleased with the
hotel, there were a few complaints about inadequate sleeping rooms and coffee, breakfast
shortages.
3. While many respondents enjoyed the Gala Banquet and dance there are a few who feel
this is too extravagant an event and inappropriate for our AGM.
4. The long service awards went quite smoothly and efficiently, a few thought that it could
be organized differently.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Numeric Evaluation Summary1
Questionnaire Item
1
Score
Q1. Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Bob Rae
3.32
Q2. Canadian School Boards Assn Presidents' Panel
2.89
Q3. Address: Minister Shirley Bond
2.70
Q4. Concurrent 1: The Chuntoh Education Society
3.08
Q5. Concurrent 2: Help is Down the Hall
2.88
Q6. Concurrent 3: Assessment: The Sequel
2.83
Q7. Concurrent 4: Encouraging Local Democracy
2.97
Q8. Concurrent 5: District Literacy Plans
3.22
Q9. The Impact of School Boards on Student Achievement - The Lighthouse Inquiry
3.27
Q10. Candidates' Forum
3.29
Q11. AGM Business Sessions
3.13
Q12. Election of Officers
3.16
Q13. Student performers
3.58
Q14. President's Reception (Thursday night)
3.23
Q15. CUPE Reception (Friday night)
3.31
Q16. Reception & Gala Dinner (Saturday night)
3.49
Q17. Long Service Recognition (Saturday night)
3.30
Q18. Dance Band (Saturday night)
3.59
Q19. Food and refreshments
3.43
Q20. Meeting facilities
3.59
Q21. Hotel accommodations
3.54
Q22. Conference materials (registration package, handouts, etc.)
3.55
Q23. Sponsor displays and handouts
3.00
Q24. BCSTA staff support
3.80
Q25. Overall, the AGM was ...
3.39
This is a score calculated from the survey responses. The highest possible score is 4.00, and the mid-point is 2.5
– any score over 3.0 is good, over 3.5 is excellent.
24
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 8
Upcoming Trustee Academies – Draft Overview
December 4-6, 2008; Westin Bayshore Hotel, Vancouver:
The Key Work Conference
Thursday, December 4 Morning
Possible Pre-Conference
Workshop(s) (50)
1. Pearson sponsored workshop
on Differentiated Instruction
2. Session for chairs,
superintendents on
- productive working
relationship;
- orienting your new trustees
Afternoon
Committee and Board Meetings
Conference Setup
Evening
6:00
Registration
7:30 – 9:00
Opening Plenary Theatre style
Student performance
Connie’s Welcome
Keynote: Mossi White (booked)
9:00 – 11:00
President’s Reception and light
entertainment
Friday, December 5 –
Morning
7:30 Registration Desk Opens
7:30 – 8:15
Breakfast
8:30 – 10:15
Plenary workshop
The Big Picture: How do boards
improve student achievement
10:15 – 10:45
Break – Action Schools
10:45 – 12:00
(plenary workshop cont.)
12:00 – 1:30
LUNCH - Minister of Education
Afternoon
1:30 – 2:45 PM
Board Boot Camp 1
Plenary with a small team
presenting concepts from Key
Works and facilitating discussion
[Question: which experienced
trustees should we include on a
small instructional team to help
present this part of the program?]
2:45 – 3:15 Break
3:15 – 4:30
(Boot camp cont.)
[Roles and responsibilities,
Relationships, group dynamics
and teamwork]
4:00
Afternoon/evening event?
25
Saturday, December 6 Morning
7:30 Registration Desk Opens
7:30 – 8: 15
Branch Breakfasts
8:30 – 10:00
Concurrent Sessions 1
10:00 – 10:30
Break – Action Schools
10:30 – 12:00
Concurrent Sessions 2
12:00 – 1:30
LUNCH
Partner’s Exhibit
Include a partners’ exhibit event
(BCTF, BCSSA, etc.)
Afternoon
1:30 – 3:00
Board Boot Camp 2
Second plenary
[Community engagement,
monitoring & oversight]
3:00 – 3:30
Refreshment Break
3:30 – 4:30
Closing Plenary: Improv with
Theatresports
4:30
Adjourn Conference
Education Committee Evaluation
Meeting
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Possible Speakers:
1. Bob Chartier
2. Mike Corbett
3. Mary Delagardelle
4. Graham Dickson
5. Robert Josephs
6. Ben Levin
7. Todd Maffin
8. Peter Norman
9. Kerry Price
10. Gail Roberts
11. Tim Waters (McRel, ASCD)
Possible Concurrent Sessions:
1. Meetings: Robert’s Rules
2. Aboriginal Enhancement Agreements
3. Your Association (BCSTA)
4. Dealing With Appeals
5. Measuring achievement
6. Fine Arts Programs (EdCom motion)
26
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 25-28, 2009; Coast Plaza Hotel, Vancouver
The Policy and Practice Conference
Wednesday, February 25
Morning
8:30
Coffee, muffins
9:00
 BCSTA Board Meeting
 Education Committee
Meeting
 Aboriginal Education
Committee Meeting
LUNCH BREAK
Afternoon
Meetings Continue
Evening
6:00
Academy Registration
7:30 – 9:00
Official Opening
Student Entertainment
Plenary Presentation
The new world of public
education: looking to the
future
9:00 – 11:00
President’s Reception
Thursday, February 26
Morning
Friday, February 26
Morning
Saturday, February 27
Morning
7:30 Registration Desk
Opens
7:30 Registration Desk
Opens
7:30 Provincial Council
Registration
7:30 – 8:30
Full Breakfast
7:30 – 8:30
Full Breakfast
8:30 Provincial Council
Meeting
8:30 – 10:15
Concurrent 1
Info Sessions – hot topics
8:30 – 10:15
Concurrent 3 - practice
12:00 – 1:15
LUNCH
10:15 – 10:45
Break
Afternoon
Provincial Council
Meeting continues
10:15 – 10:45
Break
10:45 – 12:00
Concurrent 2 (cont.)
12:00 – 1:30
LUNCH
10:45 – 12:00
Concurrent 4 (cont.)
12:00 – 1:15
LUNCH
Afternoon
1:30 – 2:45
Facilitated
Hot Topics Discussion
World Café Style
Afternoon
1:15 – 2:30
The education world
we want: facilitated
matrix discussion as
per Metro plan
2:45 – 3:15
Break
2:30 – 3:00
Break
3:15 – 4:30
Cont.
3:00 – 4:15
Cont.
With walkabout report
out.
4:30 – 5:00
Entertaining
closing session
Social Event
Networking Dinners
Concurrent Topic Ideas - policy:
1. Early learning
2. Aboriginal issues
3. Year round schooling
4. Impact of technology
5. Funding education
Concurrent Topic Ideas: practice
1. Working through conflict
2. Preparing/evaluating policies
3. Dealing with media
4. Performance planning and review
27
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Attachment 9
Report on:
2008 Spring Forum
School Completion and Beyond
BC School Superintendents’ Association (BCSSA) - Vancouver Island Chapter
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - Coast Bastion Inn, Nanaimo
Chair’s Report
Trustee Grinham and I, along with our Assistant Superintendent, Sherry Elwood, district staff
members: Jeff Taylor, Paul Berry, Liz McKenzie, Lori Carpenter, Jeff Stewart, Lynn Joseph,
Randy Grey, Gerald Fussell, Sheila Shanahan, Craig Olson, and Sue Dietrich attended the BC
School Superintendents’ Association – Vancouver Island Chapter – 2008 Spring Forum -“School Completion and Beyond” May 22nd, 2008, Nanaimo, B.C.
The purpose of the forum was to bring teacher leaders, school leaders and district leaders on
Vancouver Island together to engage in dialogue on the topic of improving school completion
and beyond.
There were three presentations throughout the day with table group discussions addressing key
questions regarding each presentation.



Focus on Hands-on Learning, SD 62 (Sooke)
Focus on Aboriginal Students, SD 72 (Campbell River)
Focus on District-Wide Initiatives, SD 61 (Victoria)
All three presentations illustrated an outstanding commitment from all districts present in
supporting students from K-12:
From moving away from traditional classroom instruction and settings, to more hands-on
project-based learning to increasing Aboriginal success through planning and purposeful support
to a systematic response to withdrawals and dropouts.
Every student counts – we need to be very purposeful in dealing with addressing our challenges
regarding the number of students who do not complete grade 12. It was stated that the number of
students over a six year period that do not graduate could fill BC Place Stadium.
We know all of our students need us. We need to ask ourselves, where do we lose the most
numbers of students and why do students disconnect from academic success?
28
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Ideas and comments shared were:



We need to make it more difficult for students to leave, early intervention is key;
Provide intensive support and instruction where needed most – connections are
intangibles you can't quantify, know our kids and their needs. What do we do when
students aren’t learning? Ask students, How do you see yourself in your classroom?
We need good structures that wrap programs around the needs “know first what is - then
pursue what is needed.”
Lots of great practice was shared and ideas for future consideration.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sherry Elwood, Assistant Superintendent for
extending the invitation to trustees and also to the BCSSA for organizing and sponsoring the
forum.
Our Board of Education recently adopted two overarching goals for the district:


Closing the Achievement Gap to Improve Completion
Building Leadership Capacity at all Levels and from all Partners
We are committed to improving our grad rate. Forums such as this one are both timely and
inspirational. I believe good ideas were shared and learned and we are positioned to move
forward in a more purposeful and meaningful way.
Respectfully Submitted
Janice Proudfoot
Board Chair SD 71
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Program
2008 Spring Forum
School Completion and Beyond
BC School Superintendents’ Association (BCSSA) - Vancouver Island Chapter
Thursday, May 22, 2008 - Coast Bastion Inn, Nanaimo
8:00 - 9:00 Registration / Continental Breakfast
9:00 - 9:20 Welcome, Purpose
FOCUS ON HANDS-ON LEARNING - SD62 (Sooke)
[l0-15 minutes]
Table Group Discussion [25-30 minutes]
1. Briefly describe what interested you in attending this forum.
2. What aspect of the Sooke presentation interested or challenged you the most?
Selected Reporting Out [15 minutes]
Tables 1-8 report - Question 2 only.
Break
FOCUS ON ABORIGINAL STUDENTS - SD72 (Campbell River)
[10-15 minutes]
Table Group Discussion [25-30 minutes]
1. What aspect of the Campbell River presentation interested or challenged you the most?
2. How might some of what you have heard this morning help advance school completion and
transitions for aboriginal learners in your school or district?
Selected Reporting Out [15 minutes]
Tables 9-16 report - Question 2 only.
Lunch (provided)
FOCUS ON DISTRICT-WIDE INITIATIVES - SD61 (Victoria)
[20-30 minutes]
Table Group Discussion [20-25 minutes]
1. How might this kind of initiative advance school completion and transitions in your school or
district?
2. What aspect of today’s presentations and conversations are you looking at most for further
discussion back at your school and/or district?
Selected Reporting Out [15 minutes]
Tables 17-23 report - Question 2 only.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SO WHAT? NOW WHAT?
(Assemble as District Teams) - District Discussion
“SO WHAT? NOW WHAT?” (Vancouver Island Superintendents)
What were your expectations of this forum?
How might you leverage this forum into thoughtful action and meaningful results?
Any thoughts for next year’s forum?
Closing Comments
Who should attend?
The purpose of the forum is to build capacity, school by school and district by district, for
improving student success with “School Completion and Beyond.” This event serves as a focal
point for taking action and sharing practice on what’s working and what’s not. It will be an
important professional learning and networking opportunity for secondary school administrators,
teacher leaders and district leaders.
Registration
Vancouver Island School Districts (SD 47,61,62,63,64,68,69,70,71,72,79,84,85): The
Superintendent or designate will need to send a District Team list (name, assignment, school and
district) to Andrea Wareham, awareham@sd68.bc.ca, by April 15, 2008. No registration fee will
be charged. The meeting room, equipment and meal costs will be covered by the BCSSA,
Vancouver Island Chapter.
Others Wishing to Attend? If you are interested in attending, please send your request (name,
assignment, school and district) to Andrea Wareham, awareham@sd68.bc.ca, by April 15, 2008.
We will be accepting a limited number of guests. No registration fee will be charged. For more
information, please contact Andrea Wareham at 250-741-5335.
Hotel Accommodation
A block of rooms has been set aside at the Coast Bastion Inn, Nanaimo. The room rates are $107
for a Superior Room and $92 for a Comfort Room. Please call 1-800-716-6199 to make your
reservation and quote the “School Completion and Beyond Forum”.
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EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SCHOOL COMPLETION AND BEYOND - GRANT PROPOSAL
Program Focus: The six year graduation completion rate in British Columbia was the focus of
the BC Progress Board Report of December 2006: Working - Together to Improve Performance:
Preparing BC’s Public Education System for the Future. As a follow up to the BCSSA
committee’s work on Enhancing Learning during the 2006-2007 school year, the Vancouver
lsland Chapter of BCSSA would like to build on this good work by hosting an annual Regional
Forum to bring educators from throughout the Vancouver lsland Region together to share,
collaborate, and enhance the work on improving student success as demonstrated by graduation
completion rates.
Rationale: Based on observations of the recent November 1st Okanagan-Mainline forum on
Student Success, the lsland Region’s thirteen districts would benefit from a similar regional
event held annually on Vancouver Island. Some examples of possible collaboration and program
sharing would be as follows:
 Victoria School District has been doing some pilot work in the area of graduation rate
analysis and follow-up - this would be shared with other regional districts;
 AIberni School District has been hosting student success celebration events in its
community - this would be informing to other districts in the region;
 Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District has restructured its alternative learning programs in
attempts to improve graduation rate student success and could share its initial findings;
 School districts in the region have developed local relationships with colleges and
universities that support successful transitions for students between the organizations these relationships would be shared.
Based on the BCSSA ‘Enhancing Learning’ committee’s report to the Ministry of Education, the
Vancouver lsland chapter holds the following as strong rationale for this project:
Improving school completion and beyond is an important societal and school system goal.
We know that the progress we achieve with this goal will fundamentally help students
create a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities. We know
that success can look different for different students. This is why it is important to
examine the relevancy of programs for all students and ensure that appropriate
programming, learning opportunities, assessment tools and credentials are provided,
promoted and accessed. To develop ways to meet all students’ learning needs, we need to
underscore the value of academic, vocational, technical, artistic and other learning
pathways to success. We know that improving school completion and beyond involves a
complex, evolving context of factors in which there are multiple variables at play.
Changing immigration patterns, strong labor markets, and inclusive education represent
some of the variables that have affected school learning environments. We know that to
make significant progress. With this goal we need to build capacity for action in each of
the regions of the province. As effective practices for improving school completion and
32
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
beyond are identified and developed, schools and districts will readily share their insights
and successes to inform practice.
Research: Districts in the region are building student graduation completion rate data into their
district Achievement Contracts. Strategies being selected by districts to address this goal of
improving student graduation rates are based on current literature and best practice.
Collaboration: The Vancouver Island chapter of BCSSA is known provincially for its strength
as a collaborative learning community. A program such as this will enhance this already strong
organization as it places emphasis on this important work around student achievement.
Data: Both qualitative and quantitative data analyses would be used in the discussion
collaboration work at this forum and would be used to identify problem areas, patterns or
successes and to make decisions.
Format and Timeline: The Vancouver Island forum activities will be inquiry based to ensure
that participants are engaged as learners. The thirteen districts would be encouraged to send
significant team numbers to the forum (the Okanagan-Mainline forum had close to 250
participants). Presentations and discussions will give consideration to the varying contexts and
cultures that exist: rural/urban, large/small, aboriginal/non-aboriginal, gender issues. The
projected outcomes of the first forum are:
 Each district becomes more knowledgeable about the issues, promising practices and
ideas strategies
 Each district is committed to following up at the school level
 The strategies and approaches to collaboration will vary from district to district;
 The focus on advancing the goal of improving school completion and beyond will be
constant.
 Each district will explore and develop ways of engaging all partner groups in this shared
enterprise.
 All districts will be asked to identify, develop and implement new, imaginative ways of
sharing and communicating ideas and stories of the progress achieved.
 All districts will work closely with the superintendents of achievement and the
superintendent of liaison, all of whom will have crucial roles in enhancing connections,
resources and communication among districts and schools.
 Representatives from the different colleges and universities would be invited as observer
participants, including transitions coordinators for the regions they serve.
 Questions to schools districts will be sent to districts before the forum so that participants
come prepared to engage in informed discussion.
 Forum One would be held in Spring 2008, with Forum Two and Forum Three to be held
in Spring 2009 and Spring 2010.
Applicability to other regions: This long-term initiative to mobilize the regions will only be
effective if we can successfully engage teacher leaders, school leaders and district leaders in
33
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
improving school completion and beyond. This will occur between, among and within districts,
with forms of engagement that will vary depending on context, priorities and needs.
Evaluation: Post-event evaluation forms will be completed by participants of the Year One
forum. As well, this initiative will be part of on-going discussion at Island Chapter meetings.
34