The Future of Aboriginal The Future of Aboriginal Education in BC….Education in BC….

What is the dream?What is the dream?

In an ideal world, there would be In an ideal world, there would be no need for….no need for….

Targeted fundingTargeted funding Aboriginal Education Aboriginal Education

BranchBranch District Ab Ed staffDistrict Ab Ed staff Ab Ed teams in schoolsAb Ed teams in schools Human Rights exemptions Human Rights exemptions

for Aboriginal teachers for Aboriginal teachers

As well….As well….

Racism would be reduced or Racism would be reduced or eliminatedeliminated

Curriculum would reflect all Curriculum would reflect all culturescultures

Aboriginal language Aboriginal language instruction would become instruction would become the de facto second the de facto second language where appropriate.language where appropriate.

How do we get there…??How do we get there…??

Promising practices in and for Promising practices in and for BC:BC:

Research from other countriesResearch from other countries New Zealand and Te KotahitangaNew Zealand and Te Kotahitanga

Approaches to teachingApproaches to teaching Appreciative EnquiryAppreciative Enquiry

……and…..and…..

Provincial InitiativesProvincial Initiatives Roundtables/focused discussion Roundtables/focused discussion

groupsgroups School district/regional School district/regional

initiativesinitiatives Aboriginal Circle (VI)Aboriginal Circle (VI) Secondary Student InitiativeSecondary Student Initiative Enhancement AgreementsEnhancement Agreements

……finally.finally.

School district/regional School district/regional initiativesinitiatives Individual student trackingIndividual student tracking Curriculum developmentCurriculum development CelebrationsCelebrations CommunicationsCommunications

Provocative questions….Provocative questions….

Are there implications for rural districts and schools Are there implications for rural districts and schools

that need to be addressed? How?that need to be addressed? How?

How do we sustain achievement gains we see How do we sustain achievement gains we see

in primary grades through to school completion?in primary grades through to school completion?

How do we positively affect achievement in areas How do we positively affect achievement in areas

that have not responded significantly to structures that have not responded significantly to structures

and strategies implemented over the last few and strategies implemented over the last few years?years?

How do we align strengths systemically across a How do we align strengths systemically across a

district so as to make weaknesses irrelevant and district so as to make weaknesses irrelevant and

have that energy positively affect achievement?have that energy positively affect achievement?

Thank you!Thank you!Cam PinkertonCam PinkertonAssistant SuperintendentAssistant SuperintendentSD70(Alberni)SD70(Alberni)cpinkerton@sd70.bc.ca

Dede DeRoseDede DeRosePrincipalPrincipalSD73SD73dderose@sd73.bc.ca