What Are Some Areas of Concern?

The intent of the regional meetings and the wide distribution of the discussion paper is to provoke response
and constructive criticism. This is, indeed, happening through direct letter response to the Ministry. Some of the
principle areas of concern taken from those letters are listed below for your consideration and comment.

@ In order to take more required courses, students will have fewer opportunities to take a broad range of elective
courses. Is this a good thing?

® Isn't the Ministry introducing a system of streaming that forces students to make important career decisions too
early? Does streaming now exist in schools?

® Will the proposed requirements have an impact on student graduation rates?

® The proposal doesn't go far enough. Why not require English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science for all
students through to grade 12?

@ Is the opportunity to complete a major and having this recognized in the graduation diploma a useful change?

® What about those students with lower academic ability and those with handicaps and learning disabilities? Some
of these students now do not achieve graduation and likely will not meet the new requirements — even though
they work hard at their studies and make good progress. Shouldn't their accomplishments be recognized with
some form of certification?

© The Ministry says there is a common grade 8 to 10 curriculum for all students, but we know all kids aren't the
same. Shouldn't we have different programs for different ability levels in junior secondary?

® Asis the case now, small schools will have difficulty offering a broad range of courses. How should small schools
go about deciding which program to offer?

 

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JOUGLAS COLLEGE

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Where Can | Send My Questions and Suggestions?

Your thoughts. ideas, and opinions will help shape the answers to a number of important questions. In order to
help determine what directions the Ministry of Education will take, individuals or groups are urged to make their
feelings known by writing to:

Graduation ’87
Ministry of Education
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C. V8V 2M4

by May 31, 1984. All comments will be assessed in an effort to produce the best possible curriculum consensus.

Due to financial constraints, it is not possible to hold meetings in every district, but it is hoped that each district,
through local initiative, will hold one or more meetings to discuss these important proposals.

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