Provincial Exams are now required for Science 10, English 10 and Mathematics 10 (Principles of Math 10 or Essentials of Math 10) and Social Studies 11 (or First Nations Studies 12) as well as for Language Arts 12 (English 12 or Communications 12). Other grade 12 exams are optional.

Before graduation, students must complete Graduation Transitions (4 credits). Students bring together and present their learning in 3 broad areas: Personal Health, Community Connections, and Careers.

• Graduation Transitions is a requirement for all students registered in Grades 10, 11, or 12 as of September, 2007 and beyond. Graduation Transitions may begin in Grades 10, 11, or 12 and upon successful completion of the minimum requirements for the prescribed learning outcomes for each component, will be awarded four (4) credits towards graduation upon completion. There are three components to the reqirement: Personal Health, Community Conections, and Transition Planning. For more details please see www.bced.gov.bc.ca/graduation
• Students may satisfy these requirements in a number of ways, ranging from course work, independent self-directed learning opportunities outside the classroom, to a form of portfolio assessment. Students must consult with their school and/or district to determine what opportunities are available. Students will be able to demonstrate their competencies in areas such as career planning, employability skills, and personal well being in the assembling of a Graduation Portfolio.

Graduation Program Exams
The new Graduation Program requires all students to write exams in Grade 10 English, Grade 10 Science, Grade 10 Mathematics. The students must also write the Social Studies Exam attached to the Grade 11 or 12 course taken by the student. The exams are worth 20% of the student’s final mark.

The student must write the Grade 12 Language Arts (English or Communications) Exam attached to the course taken by the student. This exam is worth 40% of the student’s final mark.
All other Grade 12 Graduation Exams are optional. Students need to be sure of post-secondary admission requirements and meet with their advisor before deciding whether or not to take an exam. (If you do not write the Grade 12 Exam, 100% of your final mark will come from your course mark.) All Grade 12 Exams are worth 40% of the student’s final mark.
Writing Grade 12 Exams gives you opportunities to win provincial scholarships

In order to graduate, students in Grades 10-12 will need to earn 80 credits (equivalent to twenty 4-credit courses).

Of these, 48 credits come from Required Courses which include the following:

• Language Arts 10 (4 credits)
• Language Arts 11 (4 credits)
• Language Arts 12 (4 credits)
• Social Studies 10 (4 credits)
• Social Studies 11, Canadian Civics 11 or BC First Nations Studies 12 (4 credits)
• Science 10 (4 credits)
• Science 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  (Numerous choices exist)
• Mathematics 10 (4 credits)
  (Essentials of Math or Principles of Math)
• Mathematics 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  (Essentials of Math or Principles of Math)
• Physical Education 10 (4 credits)
• Fine Arts or Applied Skills 10, 11 or 12 (4 credits)
  (Numerous choices are available to students.)
• Planning 10 (4 credits)
• 4 credits for Portfolio Assessment

1995 Graduation Program (52 credits)
If you entered Grade 11 or 12 in September 2004 or earlier, you will be required to complete 52 credits to meet graduation requirements. Students on this program have until 2011 to graduate. It then expires and you must graduate on the 2004 requirements or you may be eligible for the Adult Graduation Program.

Foundation Studies (minimum of 28 credits from these Ministry Authorized courses)

Students must take
English 11 or Communications 11 (4 credits)
English 12 or Communications 12(4 credits)
Social Studies 11 or First Nations Studies 12 (4 credits)
Career and Personal Planning 11 (2 credits)
Career and Personal Planning 12 (2 credits)
• A Mathematics chosen from: Applications of Mathematics 11 or 12, Calculus 12, Essentials of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11 or 12 (4 credits)
• A Science chosen from: Biology 11 or 12, Chemistry 11 or 12, Earth Science 11, Physics 11 or 12, Science and Technology 11 (4 credits)
• A Fine Arts: Art Foundations 11, Fine Arts 11, Visual Arts: Media Arts 11 (2 credits)
• An Applied Skills: Accounting 11 or 12, Applied Computer Skills 11, Business Computer Applications 11, Data Management 12, Drafting and Design 11, Entrepreneurship 12, Family Studies 11 or 12, Financial Accounting 12, Food Studies 11, Information Technology 12 (2 credits)

Selected Studies (minimum of 24 credits) including:
• 10 credits must be Ministry Authorized Grade 12 level courses
• up to 8 credits can be locally developed

Notes re Grades 11 and 12 (Graduation Program 1995)
1. Students who complete any of the 4-credit Fine Arts courses will receive 2 credits in Fine Arts Foundation Studies and the other 2 credits are assigned as Selected Studies.
2. Students who complete any of the Applied Skills courses will receive 2 credits in Applied Skills Foundation Studies and additional credits are assigned as Selected Studies.

Provincial Government Exams (1995 Graduation Program)
In order to graduate on the 1995 Graduation Program, students must write an English12 or Communications 12 government exam. If a student wishes to receive four credits
for the following Academic Grade 12 courses they must write the Provincial Government Exam in these courses: English Literature 12, German 12, Spanish 12, French 12, Principles of Math 12, Biology 12, Chemistry 12, Physics 12, Geography 12, History 12. All Grade 12 Exams are worth 40% of the student’s final mark.

Challenge and External Credits
In both graduation programs students may earn credits toward graduation in a variety of ways. In addition to earning credits by successfully completing courses delivered by a BC public or independent school, students will be awarded credits by using the policies that follow. For specific information, check with your local school and also the Ministry of Education website: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/policy/policies/earning_credit_through.htm

Equivalency (Documented Prior Learning)
Secondary schools may award credit to students who have successfully completed an equivalent Grade 10, 11 or 12 course from an educational jurisdiction or institution outside the BC school system. To be deemed equivalent, there should be a match of approximately 80% or more of the learning outcomes to either a Ministry-developed or board authorized course. In order to receive credits through Equivalency, students must provide the appropriate documentation as proof of successful completion of the course.

Challenge (Undocumented Demonstrated Prior Learning)
Secondary schools may award credit to students who can demonstrate prior learning. Students are entitled to undertake a Challenge process to assess their prior learning for any Ministry-authorized graduation program course offered by any school board in the Province that school year, as well as any Board Authorized (BAA) course taught in the enrolling district that school year, provided the student has not already completed the course through previous enrollment. Students should be able to demonstrate their readiness to Challenge a course based on factors such as a recommendation from a previous teacher, or from evidence that relevant learning has been acquired outside the regular classroom setting. Examples of assessment strategies that could be used in a Challenge process include such things as hands-on demonstrations, oral performances, interviews, written examinations, or presentations of a collection of work.

External Credentials (Ministry-approved Documented Prior Learning)
Students can earn credit towards graduation through certain
external credentials approved by the Ministry. In order to earn credit for an approved credential, students must provide the appropriate documentation proving successful completion of the external assessment, course, or program.

The Ministry has reviewed programs including:
• Royal Conservatory (or • Guides & Scouts equivalent) of Music, • Tourism, Lifesaving, First Dance, Theatre, Speech Aid, Pony Club • External Languages • Computer Certification • External Sport (Athlete, • Driver’s Education Coach, Official) • Pilot’s License • Cadets • Boating • 4-H For a complete listing please see the Ministry website for the Handbook of Procedures: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/exams/handbook

Credit from Post-secondary Courses
Students can earn credit towards graduation by earning credit for courses at specific post-secondary institutions. Students are entitled to earn “dual credit” if they earn credit that leads to a post-secondary credential from a post-secondary institution which is a member of the British Columbia Transfer System.