BC’s Redesigned Curriculum

Today’s children live in a society of constant change. At New Westminster Schools, we are supporting the success of our learners by focusing on the skills and competencies they need to be productive and successful citizens in a rapidly changing world.

We are doing so in the context of BC’s Redesigned Curriculum, which was implemented in BC in Kindergarten to Grade 9 classrooms in the 2016/17 school year and is slated for implementation across all grades in 2019/2020.

Why a new Curriculum?

curriculum_model 640The curriculum in British Columbia has been modernized to meet the changing needs of our students.  Students today require skills and competencies that will help them thrive in an ever-changing world.  BC’s redesigned curriculum aims to personalize learning, making it more student-centered and flexible.  There is a focus on literacy and numeracy skills, as well as an emphasis on deep, active learning. The BC curriculum is concept based and competency driven to ensure that students are engaged in learning opportunities that go beyond memorizing facts.  The “Know-Do-Understand” framework supports deep learning through active engagement.   For more information about the redesigned curriculum, please click here.

What has changed?

The redesigned curriculum puts the student at the center of learning and emphasizes:

  • greater flexibility to allow for personalization;
  • increased opportunities for students to pursue their passions and interests;
  • a focus on foundational skills of literacy and numeracy, with a strong emphasis on concepts and “big ideas” that allow for deeper learning;
  • Aboriginal culture and perspectives integrated throughout all grades and areas of learning;
  • the development of core competencies (thinking, communication, social and personal).

Curriculum Model

The Know-Do-Understand framework consists of three elements:

  • What students will know
    • The Content – important knowledge within each area of learning.
  • What students will do
    • The curricular competencies – skills, strategies and processes that students develop over time to engage deeply with areas of learning.
  • What students will understand
    • The “Big Ideas” – the most important concepts in an area of learning that go beyond a single grade and contribute to future learning.

Assessment and Reporting

Assessment and reporting practices are being refreshed to better align with the curriculum redesign.  Assessments will continue to be rigorous and based on the learning standards and competencies identified in the curriculum.  However, a more flexible and personalized approach to assessment will be taken that emphasizes measuring deep learning and complex thinking. Parents as partners in education will be included in ongoing communication about student learning. Educators will support students in a number of ways including:

  • providing timely and meaningful feedback,
  • multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning, and
  • engagement in self-assessment, reflection and goal setting.