Introduction and
First Reading of Bills
Bill 36 — School Amendment Act, 2012
Hon. G. Abbott presented a message from His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor: a bill intituled School Amendment Act, 2012.
Hon. G. Abbott: I am pleased to introduce the School Amendment Act, which will support B.C.’s education plan by removing barriers to personalized learning and providing students and parents with greater flexibility and choice.
First, the legislation will eliminate the standard school calendar as of the 2013-2014 school year to enable school districts to offer more creative scheduling options that would better meet the need of their students.
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Second, the legislation will increase choice by allowing kindergarten to grade 9 students to enrol in a mix of bricks and mortar and distance learning courses.
Third, the legislation will clarify that boards of education can charge fees to offset the extra costs associated with international baccalaureate
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by allowing kindergarten-to-grade-9 students to enrol in a mix of bricks-and-mortar and distance-learning courses. Third, the legislation will clarify that boards of education can charge fees to offset the extra costs associated with international baccalaureate programs.
Furthermore, the legislation requires districts to establish financial hardship policies for students who might otherwise be excluded from these programs.
I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.
Mr. Speaker: Hon. Member, we first have to move first reading.
Hon. G. Abbott: So moved, Mr. Speaker.
Motion approved.
Hon. G. Abbott: I move it be placed on the orders of the day for consideration at the next sitting of the House after today.
Motion approved.