Starting in 2025, the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care requires all independent schools in B.C. to have a multi-year Continuous Improvement (CI) Plan in place to enhance student learning and well-being.
Under this new requirement, the CI Plan must include each of the five stages of improvement outlined by the Continuous Improvement in Independent Schools Policy,which was developed by the Inspector of Independent Schools. The policy provides guidelines intended to “support learners on their journey to reach their individual potential by developing literacy and numeracy, promoting a sense of belonging and well-being, and striving for educational equity for all learners.”
In support of these goals, the CI Plan incorporates a five-stage Continuous Improvement Cycle that emphasizes ongoing planning, data analysis, and community engagement. The five stages are:
Stage 1 – Plan
Stage 2 – Implement
Stage 3 – Monitor/Adapt
Stage 4 – Evaluate
Stage 5 – Share
More specifically, the core design of the CI Plan is data driven. Its implementation depends on each school taking responsibility for continuously building improvement programs that are tailored to the specific needs of its community. According to the Continuous Improvement in Independent Schools Policy, the use of empirical data plays a significant role in unveiling potential areas for improvement.
For example, poor student performance on the Provincial Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Exams demonstrates the need for the creation of an exam support program.
In terms of the tools that can be used for data collection, each year, the Ministry compiles an annual Independent School Report for each school containing important data such as student performance on the Provincial Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Exams. Moreover, schools are also expected to collect their own school-specific data such as feedback from students, parents, and the community members using student surveys and interviews.
Monitoring School Inspections are subsequently conducted by the Ministry to assess the effectiveness of policy implementation within B.C. independent schools.
For more information, please visit the Ministry of Education website:
Continuous Improvement in Independent Schools Policy – Province of British Columbia
By BCEIC