B.C.’s Curriculum Structure

Core Competencies

The Core Competencies are the foundation of the B.C. curriculum. The Core Competencies are sets of intellectual, personal and social-emotional proficiencies that all students need to develop in order to engage in deep, life-long learning. Students develop Core Competencies when they are engaged in the “doing” – the Curricular Competencies – within a learning area. As such, they are an integral part of the curriculum. While they manifest themselves uniquely in each area of learning, the Core Competencies are often interconnected and are foundational to all learning. Through consultation with stakeholders across the province, three Core Competencies were identified:

1. COMMUNICATION – with two sub-competencies – Communicating and Collaborating
2. THINKING – with two sub-competencies – Creative Thinking and Critical Thinking
3. PERSONAL & SOCIAL – with three sub-competencies – Personal Awareness and Responsibility, Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, and Social Awareness and Responsibility

 

Core Competencies will be integrated throughout the curriculum of all classrooms. Students are expected to reflect upon the learning process and self-assess their development of the Core Competencies.

Concept-based, competency-driven curriculum

British Columbia’s curriculum brings together two features that most educators agree are essential for 21st-century learning: a concept-based approach to learning and a focus on the development of competencies, to foster deeper, more transferable learning. These approaches complement each other because of their common focus on active engagement of students. Deeper learning is better achieved through “doing” than through passive listening or reading. Similarly, both concept-based learning and the development of competencies engage students in authentic tasks that connect learning to the real world.

Flexible learning environments

Learning can take place anywhere, not just in classrooms. Our teachers create learning environments that explore the use of time and space in creative ways. The integration of areas of learning and technology also has opened the door for teachers to approach the use of time and space in creative ways – ways that adapt to the students’ needs and interests.

Curriculum Model

Three elements, the Content (Know), Curricular Competencies (Do), and Big Ideas (Understand) all work together to support deeper learning. British Columbia’s curriculum design enables a personalized, flexible and innovative approach at all levels of the education system. All areas of learning have been redesigned using this model.

Content (Know)

The Content learning standards — the “Know” of the Know-Do-Understand model of learning — detail the essential topics and knowledge at each grade level.

Curricular Competencies (Do)

Curricular Competencies are the skills, strategies, and processes that students develop over time. They reflect the “Do” in the Know-Do-Understand model of learning. While Curricular Competencies are more subject-specific, they are connected to the Core Competencies.

Big Ideas (Understand)

The Big Ideas consist of general principles and the key concepts important in an area of learning. They reflect the “Understand” component of the Know-Do-Understand model of learning. The big ideas represent what students will understand at the completion of the curriculum for their grade. They are intended to endure beyond a single grade and contribute to future understanding.

To graduate, students will require 80 credits total, with a minimum of 16 at the grade 12 level, and 28 elective course credits. Of the 80 credits required to graduate, at least 4 credits must have an Indigenous focus. 52 credits are required from the following:

Subject Area	Minimum Credits
Language Arts 10, 11 & 12	12
Mathematics 10	4
Mathematics 11 or 12	4
Science 10	4
Science 11 or 12	4
Social Studies 10	4
Social Studies 11 or 12	4
Career Life Education	4
Physical and Health Education 10	4
Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10,11 or 12	4
Career Life Connections	4
Required Credit Total	52
Elective Credits
Students must earn 28 credits from elective courses in Grades 10-12.
Elective Credit Total	28
Credits to Graduate	80