As required annually by the Ministry of Education, the District drafted an Annual Framework for Enhancing Student Learning (FESL) Report. It looks at results from various standardized grade K-12 assessments to determine the intellectual, human and social, and career development outcomes among students.

Based on the key trends observed, the District determined three priorities to focus on for the year ahead: literacy, social emotional learning and supports for Indigenous learners.

Literacy

The Vancouver School District recognizes the importance of literacy skills for early learners so that they become successful and lifelong learners. The District will continue to emphasize literacy at the elementary level with a focus on Indigenous learners, students with diverse needs and English Language learners. For instance in the past, as part of professional development, elementary teachers took part in a writing inquiry to learn about approaches and strategies to develop confident writing skills in students’ early years. As well, this past summer, the District empowered young readers to build confidence through the Rec and Read program. The specialized program aims to improve reading proficiency for students transitioning from Grade 1 to Grade 2. 

Social Emotional Learning

The District will develop and implement a mental health strategy to strengthen connections between students and their school as well as a sense of belonging. The District has invested more than $500,000 in mental wellness resources such as books, interactive games and fine motor activity toys. For the year ahead, the District plans to develop a mental health strategy, which follows the guidelines of the Ministry of Education’s Mental Health in Schools Strategy. The strategy will be developed and implemented in collaboration with school counsellors and other District departments to ensure planned activities are culturally-safe and meet the needs of all students.

Indigenous learners

In addition to priorities outlined above, each school will continue to focus efforts that honour Indigenous learners including centering the District’s commitment to the Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement. Educators will embed Indigenous-focused activities as part of the curriculum to increase the awareness and understanding of Indigenous histories, traditions and cultures. For example, students have and will continue to learn about Indigenous songs and drums, participate in orange shirt day, discover Indigenous art and engage in important conversations about truth and reconciliation.

The District will also continue to focus its efforts to improve graduation rates among Indigenous learners, which is currently at 63 per cent. The District will review each senior student’s transcript and build individualized plans to help on their path to graduation.

The District’s top priority is to improve student success and learning equity for every student. Teachers, administrators and other education support staff continue to seek ways to build on students’ strengths and to celebrate student success. For more details, listen in on tonight’s Student Learning and Well-Being Committee meeting. The FESL report will be available after the September board meeting, on September 27, 2021.