Mount Elizabeth Middle Secondary School

What is FSA?

In accordance to the School Act, Coast Mountains School District 82 (CMSD82), will be administering the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) to all grade 4 and 7 students from October 3 to November 10, 2022.  This is an annual province-wide assessment of all B.C. students’ academic skills in grades 4 and 7, and provides parents, teachers, schools, school districts and the Ministry of Education and Child Care with important information on how well students are progressing in the foundation skills of Literacy and Numeracy.

Why is the FSA important? 
To ensure that we continue to support successful learning, we routinely check our students’ growth and achievement.  The FSA assesses basic knowledge and skills in literacy and numeracy.  The FSA provides a systems level accountability check to ensure that we are delivering aligned learning experiences for all.

A key goal within our Board of Education’s new Strategic Plan ‘Engage, Ignite, Empower’ is focused on all students realizing their full potential, and a continued focus on improving the essential skills of literacy and numeracy is critical to this work.  Teachers and school staff are working diligently toward this outcome in their classrooms, and the FSA is one of several important ways that we ensure children are succeeding at school and are on track with their learning.

CMSD82 Superintendent Aaron Callaghan shared the following letter with Grade 4 and 7 parents/guardians regarding the upcoming FSA:

Superintendent Letter to Grade 4&7 Parents-Guardians re Upcoming FSA
(click on link to open)

Facts?

• The FSA is designed by BC teachers and education experts to assess your child’s progress with reading, writing and numeracy.
• The FSA is written in sections that are spread over six weeks (October 3 to November 10, 2022).  Most students require a total of 4.5 hours over those 6 weeks to complete all the components of the FSA. Students requiring additional time are provided with that time.
• Parents and guardians receive a summary of their child’s progress on the FSA and can discuss this with the school if they have questions. FSA scores are not included on report cards.
• The First Nations Leadership Council of BC strongly supports the FSA, identifying it as an important tool to assist learning and gauge system progress in improving outcomes for Indigenous learners.

All grade 4 and 7 students are expected to write this assessment.  Accommodations are available if needed and as documented in a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).  School Principals can exempt students from writing the FSA only in case of a family emergency, a lengthy illness, or other extenuating circumstances.

How Can Parents Help?

• Talk to your child about the FSA.  Explain why we complete it and cheer them on.  This is a chance for CMSD82 students to show what they know!
• Ensure your child gets lots of rest and good nutrition.
• Read through the information and help your child try the sample questions available at the BC Ministry of Education’s website on Foundation Skills Assessment (click on link to open).

Parents and caregivers should contact their School Principal if they have any questions or they require additional information.

Thank you for your support of the Foundational Skills Assessment and ongoing partnership in your children’s learning.