The evolution of professionalism - Centre for Policy Studies in ...

Policies into Practice developed specifi c indicators for accreditation, annual
reports and policy. The intent was to make the system more accountable through the
use of more transparent categories. The Ministry’s annual reports were redesigned
to make them more accessible to the public. If one compares the descriptors in the
three reports 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98 an attempt to achieve this objective
can be seen. In general, the Ministry and school districts were required to produce
more evaluative information. A review of fi nance funding was underway and
this review examined fi nancial incentives to “encourage integration of services”.
This integration involved revised accounting manuals and policies and procedure
manuals. Accountability and performance continued to be refl ected in annual
reviews and in two report card documents (an evaluation of the secondary system)
produced by the Fraser Institute (1998, 1999).
The BCSTA produced a discussion paper entitled Our Children, Our
Responsibility (1997). This paper is a framework for clarifying the roles and
responsibilities of school boards and the Ministry of Education. The province has
responsibility for “funding to allow students across the province to have equitable
access to appropriate minimum standard of programs and services in keeping with
the mandate spelled out in the legislative framework” (page 5). The paper suggests
that an accountability framework for education requires further development. The
recommendations are consistent with the current thrust in government policy to give
boards greater independence and thereby create more local autonomy and initiative.
Finally, Policies into Practice emphasized safety and policies to be developed
regarding at-risk children and violence in schools. A mandatory screening program
was implemented for staff that would be working with children in governmentfunded
organizations. This was the fi rst of a number of programs designed to
address school safety, prompted by the increasing visibility of violence in schools.
The most prominent initiatives were developed to address bullying. A BC safe
schools initiative produced a manual, Focus on Bullying: A Prevention Program
for Elementary School Communities in 1999. The BCTF have also supported
investigations regarding violence in schools and violence directed towards
teachers (Malcolmson, 1994; Lyon and Douglas, 1999). In 2003, the Minster
of Education announced that the government would require new provincial
standards for school codes of conduct, and that school boards will be required
to report annually on the number and type of violent incidents in the schools
and how these incidents have been addressed. All school boards have codes of
student conduct, as required by the School Act.
The New Era in Education
After a crushing electoral defeat that left only two members of the former NDP
government sitting in the Legislative Assembly, a Liberal administration assumed
offi ce on June 5, 2001, under Premier Gordon Campbell. The Liberal campaign
was vague, promising to build a “new era of hope and prosperity” by cutting red
tape, revitalizing investment and creating jobs. Their platform emphasized fi scal
responsibility, integrity, reduced taxes, and a reduced defi cit. After following
through on the promise to reduce taxes, the government’s budget, released February
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