Deputy Minister's Bulletin for Independent Schools
Last updated on September 17, 2026
September 17, 2026 Edition
Good afternoon!
I hope the school year is settling into a steady rhythm and that students, staff and families are off to a strong start.
I am pleased to share the third and final comprehensive package related to BC’s Welcoming Schools. This week’s package is focused on diversity and inclusion.
This week’s edition also includes a reminder of the first graduation data submission for the 2026-27 school year, as well as several information items, such as resources related to Truth and Reconciliation Week, Feeding Futures funding for Independent Schools, and new curriculum elaborations for Social Studies 10.
As always, thank you for taking the time to review these updates and for your ongoing support of students, families and school communities.
Enjoy your weekend when you get there.
Kaye Krishna
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Education and Child Care
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First graduation data submission for 2026-27 school year
Beginning October 1, 2026, schools may submit their graduation data files through Education Data Exchange Graduation for the 2026-27 school year.
Regular data submissions throughout the school year help ensure student transcripts and graduation status information remain current. At the same time, schools should be aware of reporting deadlines; see the Chart of Important Dates.
The first graduation data file submission allows schools to:
- Submit initial grades 10 to 12 course registrations for the current school year, as well as any previously completed courses that have not yet been reported
- Register students for upcoming provincial graduation assessment sessions, particularly the November and January sessions
- Create transcript verification reports for reviewing student records and confirming projected graduation status
Additional resources are available on the graduation records and achievement data information web page.
Questions?
- Contact GRAD.Support@gov.bc.ca for data submission questions
- Contact Student.Certification@gov.bc.ca for all other questions
- Offshore schools can contact Offshore.Administrator@gov.bc.ca
Week 3: BC’S Welcoming Schools package on diversity and inclusion
The ministry is pleased to share the final package in its three-week back to school series to support independent schools in creating safe, connected, and welcoming school environments.
Over the past two weeks, the series highlighted resources, reminders, and updates related to school and online safety and mental health and wellness. This week’s package focuses on diversity and inclusion.
Week 3 back-to-school package: Diversity and inclusion
Please share items within your school community, as appropriate.
Share with:
- Safe school coordinators
- Indigenous education leads
Truth and Reconciliation Week: September 16 and 21 to 25, 2026
Truth and Reconciliation Week is a free national education program presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, open to schools and the public across Canada at no cost.
From Roots We Rise: A Youth Gathering
On September 16, students from across Canada participated in From Roots We Rise, a live youth gathering celebrating Indigenous music, dance, and storytelling. Held in Edmonton and broadcast nationally, the event was designed for high school students (Grades 7–12), with opportunities for educators to share the experience with students in Grades 1–12 throughout British Columbia and beyond. A recording of the event is available.
For classrooms (Grades 1–12)
A free online education portal offers age-appropriate programming built around the lived experiences of residential school Survivors, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers. Registration is required. Teachers can register online.
Lunch and learn webinars
Lunch and learn webinars will be held daily from September 21 to 25. These six public webinars are aimed at an adult audience, including educators and ministry staff. Topics include:
- Protecting Survivor truths
- Economic reconciliation
- Indigenous-newcomer solidarity
- Residential school denialism
- Indigenous leadership
- Indigenous youth perspectives on health and wellbeing
Sessions are hosted on Zoom and streamed to YouTube, with simultaneous English-French and American Sign Language interpretation and moderated questions and answers. Most begin at 10:00 a.m. Full schedule and registration are available on the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
Share with:
- Indigenous education leads
Feeding Futures funding for Independent Schools
Since spring 2023, the Province has provided annual funding to school districts and independent schools to create and expand school food programs through Feeding Futures. $4.505 million has been provided annually to the independent school sector over the past three years, and $4.505 million is being made available for the 2026-27 school year (Year 4).
See the overview of the Feeding Futures program in independent schools for more information about this year’s application process, including access to the application form. The deadline for submission is October 9, 2026.
Assessment Lock required for graduation assessments
Assessment Lock is a secure browser for graduation assessments and will be required starting with the November 2026 graduation assessment administration session. Students will not be able to access assessments without Assessment Lock.
The purpose of Assessment Lock is to strengthen assessment security by preventing students from navigating away from the e-Assessment System during assessments. It does not change invigilation expectations in schools; students should continue to be invigilated as usual.
To continue to familiarize schools with Assessment Lock’s features and the system requirements needed for implementation, a webinar will be held on October 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Registration information has been shared by our e-Assessment System provider (bced-support@vretta.com).
If you have not yet received an invitation or have any questions, please reach out to assessments@gov.bc.ca.
New curriculum elaborations for Social Studies 10
The Ministry of Education and Child Care has worked with community organizations and education partners to develop supporting elaborations for the expanded learning standards in the Social Studies 10 curriculum. The elaborations are now available and include:
- The Holocaust
- Residential schools and other discriminatory policies and injustices against First Peoples in B.C. and Canada
- Racial segregation and the destruction of Hogan’s Alley
- Internment of Japanese Canadians
While not mandated, these elaborations support teachers by providing suggested guidance through sample topics and ideas that can help teachers implement the expanded learning standards. Teachers are encouraged to use the elaborations as they think best for their classrooms and for instructional delivery.
Discipline outcomes
Discipline outcomes are posted to enhance the transparency of the processes and decisions made with respect to complaints and reports about educators. Recently, an outcome was posted regarding Michael David Hendricks, whose teaching certificate was suspended for three weeks, and Theodore Donald Ewald, who agreed to a lifetime ban on reapplying for, or being issued, any authorization to teach in the K-12 education system.