Vancouver Board calls for resolution to FSA issues

Vancouver, B.C. – (December 16, 2008) – Vancouver’s Board of Education is calling on B.C.’s Minister of Education and the President of the BC Teachers’ Federation to take urgent action in finding a mutually agreeable solution to the outstanding issues related to the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA).

Trustees voted unanimously on Monday to write Shirley Bond and Irene Lanzinger and urge the parties to resolve issues surrounding the annually-administered assessments.

Vancouver trustees also approved a motion to convene a special public meeting of board standing committees I and III on January 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. The FSA will be the only agenda item for the combined meeting of the board’s Management and Coordinating, and Educational and Student Services committees.

Trustees plan to invite various stakeholder groups to attend and create a forum for an exchange of perspectives concerning the FSA. A special board meeting may be called immediately after the combined committee meeting if trustees believe further action is needed on their part.

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For more information, contact:

Patti Bacchus, Board of Trustees chair – 604-250-1130
David Weir, VSB communications manager – 604-713-5074