Dear Assistant Deputy Minister Nicholls,
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on Student Outcomes
At the British Columbia School Trustees Association’s 2024 annual general meeting, our members representing all 60 boards of education in B.C. passed the following resolution:
“That the BCSTA request the Ministry of Education and Child Care, to develop a framework for assessing and measuring the impacts of climate change on student outcomes to support timely and improved decision-making, policies and planning at a local and provincial level.”
I am extending gratitude on behalf of BCSTA for our productive meeting in late May with you and Jeremy Higgs, executive director of the Education Analytics Office. We greatly appreciate the time you both took to engage with us on this important topic and for highlighting the complexity and the multitude of issues involved in addressing the impacts of climate change on student outcomes.
We recognize and appreciate that this issue is part of the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s long-term plans, and we are encouraged by your shared commitment to tackling the many impacts of climate change. BCSTA is also eager to contribute input to ensure that future Student Learning Surveys accurately reflect the challenges presented by climate change. We will also ensure that our members are aware of their ability to add their own questions to the existing format.
Thank you once again for meeting with us to discuss this critical issue. We look forward to continuing our work together to support the well-being and success of all students in B.C.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Broady
President
British Columbia School Trustees Association
[Sent September 5, 2024]