Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA)

The provincial government has been administering the Foundation Skills Assessment tests to all students in Grades 4 and 7 since 2000. This test does not help students learn or teachers teach. It takes valuable time and much needed resources away from the classroom learning and undermines the ability to provide meaningful learning experiences for all students.

The FSA results are misused by a private organization to rank schools based on a very narrow measure. The FSA tests do not result in any additional funding or support for students.

For parents

• FSA withdrawal letter (Jan 2012): English | French  
• What Parents Need to Know (Nov 2010)  
 (Nov 2010)  
• Testing? You bet – brochure (Nov 2010)  

Videos for parents, trustees, and the public 

• One test does not fit all (Oct 2009)
• The FSA: Failing Our Students (Jan 2009)
• Teachers Speak Out on FSA (Dec 2008)
• FSA (Feb 2008)
• Your Education Matters: Jan 2009 episode 
• Your Education Matters: Aug 2008 episode 

School Staff Alerts about the FSA

• Growing number of districts prepared to honour parent requests (Jan 26, 2011)
• Please do not distribute the ministry FSA pamphlet (Jan 14, 2011)
• Reaching parents on the FSA (Jan 7, 2011)
• Teachers: Do not field-test the FSA (Nov 10, 2010)

Background information

• Effects of FSA testing 
• Misuse of FSA data 
• What's a better way?  

Letters from Boards of Education

Boards of education are calling on the minister of education to resolve the FSA conflict.

• Cambell River  
• Maple Ridge  
• Vancouver