Foundation Skills Assessment tests for elementary and middle school students will continue in School District 43, with the test period taking place as early as Jan. 12. 2015.
The tests, which have been controversial in the past because they have been used by the Fraser Institute as one of several measures by which it ranks schools, will be administered to Grade 4 and 7 students.
The testing period runs from Jan. 12 and Feb 12 and according to a School District 43 letter to parents will cover reading, writing and numeracy skills and is used to help plan programs to boost achievement.
However, it's only one of four sources of student assessment used to show how students in SD43 perform in the classroom.
Other tools include assessment from classroom teachers, school assessment and district assessments, as well as provincial exams.
The only way a student can be exempt from writing the FSAS is to be excused for a family emergency, illness or an extenuating circumstance.
And parents have to contact their principal to make the request.
For more on FSA, visit the province's website, www.bced.gov.bc./assessment/fsa
