In British Columbia’s public education system, the roles and responsibilities that govern learning are shared between the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the 60 boards of education across the province. The ministry’s Learning Resources Policy provides high-level policy direction for learning resources, requiring school districts to review, evaluate, approve, and select learning resources used in classrooms, school libraries and schools.
To better clarify the roles and responsibilities for learning resources in B.C., the ministry has developed a Learning Resources Policy Clarification document. This document clarifies provincial policy requirements and provides answers to some frequently asked questions that may be helpful for school and district leaders. The document also addresses what a learning resource is and affirms that local learning resources policies and procedures apply to all learning resources in a school, whether they are in a classroom or a school library.
While this document helps clarify provincial policy governing learning resources, decisions about specific learning resources used in schools are made by teachers, school administrators, and district administrations at the local level.
- If parents and caregivers have questions or concerns about the resources available in their child’s school or the local policies regarding the review, evaluation, approval, and selection of learning resources, they should reach out first to their child’s teacher or school principal. Most questions and concerns can be addressed productively through conversation with educators at the school level.
- However, all school districts must have a process for parents and caregivers to request a review or challenge the use of a learning resource. Questions from families about local processes should be directed to the school district.