Graduation Transitions

Graduation Transitions replaces the Graduation Portfolio Assessment requirement found in the original 2004 graduation program. It is a requirement for all BC secondary school students who are enrolled in Grades 10, 11, or 12 as of September 1, 2007. Graduation Transitions is intended to prepare students for a successful transition to life after secondary school. In order to meet this goal, Graduation Transitions encourages students to:

    • take ownership of their health and learning

    • examine and demonstrate connections between their learning and their future

    • create a plan for their growth and development as skilled, healthy, knowledgeable, participating citizens

    • exhibit attributes of a BC graduate

Students are responsible for planning and preparing their education, career, and life goals through Graduation Transitions. Schools are responsible for ensuring that students have opportunities to meet the learning outcomes described in this guide. Teachers are responsible for assessing and providing feedback to students. Graduation Transitions is an opportunity for students to reflect on their knowledge and abilities and plan for life after graduation by collecting evidence of their achievements in the following required areas:

    • Personal Health

Daily physical activity and a commitment to fitness and physical and emotional wellbeing are key to healthy living. In this component of Graduation Transitions, students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and habits needed to be healthy individuals by maintaining a personal health plan and participating in at least 80 hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity in addition to PE10.

    • Community Connections

Life after graduation includes the world of work and community responsibilities. As part of Graduation Transitions, students gain employability skills through participation in at least 30 hours of work experience and/or community service.

    • Career and Life

Graduation Transitions requires students to explore personal and career goals during their secondary school years and create a plan for life after graduation. Transition planning is an ongoing process throughout the graduation program years and requires the completion of a transition plan, culminating in a final Grade 12 presentation.

Students can satisfy the Graduation Transitions requirements in the following ways:

    • Ministry-authorized course(s)

    • Board/Authority Authorized course(s)

    • Independent Directed Studies (IDS)

    • independent self-directed learning outside the classroom

    • components of Graduation Portfolio Assessment

    • any combination of the above as determined by the Board of Education or Independent School Authority

Many ministry courses are designed to meet one or more of the Prescribed Learning Outcomes found in this guide. Students can earn dual or multiple credits for taking courses that partially fulfill the Graduation Transitions requirements. See www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation for policy information.

Students begin working on Graduation Transitions in Planning 10 and may extend their studies in this area across multiple years.

Attributes of a BC Graduate

During a year-long, province-wide consultation, thousands of BC citizens identified the following characteristics of the ideal BC graduate:

In their intellectual development, graduates should achieve:

    ■ competency in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science, including the ability to use these skills in problem-solving and decision-making

    ■ the ability to use and understand information technologies

    ■ the ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences; this includes the ability to access, synthesize and present information; it  also includes

    – knowledge of both a first and second language

    – an understanding and appreciation of artistic and aesthetic expression

    ■ the ability to think critically and solve problems, using information to develop opinions and make sound judgments and decisions

    ■ an understanding of the importance of a lifelong commitment to continuous learning

In their human and social development, graduates should achieve:

    ■ the knowledge and skills required to be socially responsible citizens who act in caring and principled ways, respecting the diversity of all people and the rights of others to hold different ideas and beliefs

    ■ the knowledge and understanding they need to participate in democracy as Canadian and global citizens, acting in accordance with the laws, rights and responsibilities of a democracy

    ■ the attitudes, knowledge and positive habits they need to be healthy individuals, responsible for their physical and emotional well-being

    ■ the attitudes and competencies they need to be community contributors who take the initiative to improve their own and others’ quality of life

In their career development, graduates should achieve:

    ■ the confidence and competencies they need to be self-directed individuals who display initiative, set priorities, establish goals, and take responsibility for pursuing those goals in an ever-changing society

    ■ knowledge and understanding of the range of career choices available to them, the prospects for success in those careers, and the actions required to pursue specific career paths

    ■ experience in planning for, and working towards, career and life goals

    ■ the skills required to work effectively and safely with others, and to succeed both as individual and collaborative workers

The Graduation Program is designed to support every graduate to acquire these attributes.

See www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation for details and policies.

Key Links:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation/grad-transitions/grad_planner.pdf

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/