The new BC curriculum is including student profiles called ‘core competencies’. These are aspects of the student that the Ministry hopes to build and enhance to become a more well-rounded person and learner in the world. Below are simplified versions that I have used in my ELL class that a colleague sent to me. I will refer to these in the unit/lesson plans as well.
Credit: Based on posters from Delta School District – Modified by Spencer Cook (Richmond High)
This is the link to the Ministry website on the core competency and the different levels of each core competency.
https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/competencies
Reflection/Thoughts on Core Competencies in Education:
These are fairly new, but I feel that the move towards growing these core competencies focuses on more than just the traditional ‘content in textbooks’ approach that I went through in many of my classes. If these core competencies come to the forefront of classrooms I can see how teachers can use Indigenous worldviews and knowledge structures in their teaching and still stay within the Ministry’s requirements.
The core competencies allow for a more flexible and broader way of thinking – which in turn, allows for students to think in different perspectives. For example, simply using oral story-telling would fulfill many core competencies – communication, critical thinking (building and using evidence to form an interpretation), positive personal and cultural identity (how do we understand ourselves through stories), social responsibility (how do we interact with others and listen to others’ opinions, valuing diversity, contributing to community) and personal awareness and responsibility (how would I act in this character’s shoes?).
I see the core competencies as a way to add more value and respect to other perspectives that were maybe overlooked or not taught in the past. Although the switch will be difficult for students who are maybe more used to something more structured and straightforward, I see it allowing for better reflection skills that are important for the future.
We are Here: Indigenous Education 