The District Learning Plan for the upcoming 2022/23 school year was approved by the Kamloops-Thompson (SD73) Board of Education at its regular board meeting held Monday night (Aug. 29).
The learning plan shares student achievement results based on provincial standards and local measures.
“Our Board of Education is responsible for understanding areas of strength and priorities for improvement based on results,” said Board Chair Heather Grieve. “I am confident that we have had a comprehensive overview of results with clear ‘moving-into-action’ plans. The plan focuses on steps for system-wide improvement and aims for high standards for all students through quality teaching and leadership.”
The report, which can be found on the SD73 website under resources, shows strengths and priorities for the school district and how to improve learning in various areas, including intellectual development, human and social development and career development. It also briefly talks about and links to the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, that was approved on June 27 after a 10-month period of community engagement.
“Leadership at all levels of the district collaborated to determine how best to move into action with our 2022-2027 mission - supporting learning opportunities and environments which inspire students to thrive,” said Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Nixon. “The District Learning Plan frames the work in each of the District’s 48 school’s learning plans and the 14 department work plans.”
SD73 learning plan results summary:
Intellectual development - The school district has performed at or just above the provincial average in literacy, numeracy and grade-to-grade transitions. Indigenous students in SD73 outperformed provincial peers in each standard. However, students with diverse needs did not consistently achieve the same level of proficiency in these categories.
Next steps include starting earlier to improve the learning of Indigenous and diverse needs students to become engaged in school.
Human and social development - In the finding two or more adults that care about them category, SD73 performs at above the province. However, in all other measures (feeling safe, welcome, sense of belonging) students were below their peers throughout the province.
Next steps include expanding a successful pilot teaching social-emotional learning practices in schools, continue professional learning about all aspects of human rights education and a framework to address harassment, racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia, while also continuing comprehensive health education (mental health, physical health, sexual health, and healthy relationships), and inclusive pedagogies and practices.
Career development - SD73 high schools are more likely to graduate in five years compared to their provincial peers. Indigenous students have also improved their chances to graduate over 15 years by as much as 32.5 per cent, but are less likely to graduate in five or six years compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts in SD73.
Next steps include examining why students choose to stay or leave their programs and implement practices that meet students’ unique needs.
More information about the learning areas (intellectual, human and social and career development) can be found on the SD73 website (www.sd73.ca) under the news tab.
The District Learning Plan will be sent to the Ministry of Education on or before Sept. 30, 2022.
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