SPACE OPEN FOR BC ANNUAL PARENT CONGRESS

Parents from across British Columbia will gather in Vancouver on Jan. 28, 2008 to explore the best ways to support student achievement at the second annual Parent Congress, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today.

"It is my hope that this year's congress will build on the success of our first Parent Congress last fall," said Bond. "This forum not only provides parents the opportunity to gain a greater, first-hand understanding of the education system, but it also allows us to hear feedback about what's working and what isn't from their perspective."

Parents and legal guardians in B.C. are encouraged to apply online. From there, applicants will be chosen at random to attend. Ministry of Education staff will help ensure that all regions of B.C. are represented and that parents from public, independent and band schools are selected. Application forms are available at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/apc/ and must be received before noon on Friday Dec. 21, 2007.

"This will be a wonderful opportunity for public, independent and band school parents to come together to engage in genuine dialogue on the education of all children in B.C.," said Kim Howland, president of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC). "Whenever everyone can come together to share views, listen and learn from each other, we know that it will support a system that allows all children to be successful in their education."

The theme for this year's congress is Working Together: Parents as Partners in Education. At the congress, parents will discuss a range of topics related to their involvement in their children's education and supporting their children's success at school. The conference agenda is being developed in consultation with parents, including the BCCPAC.

"Our government believes that parents have an important role to play in education," said Bond. "The Parent Congress is another way we're giving parents a greater voice in what their children learn at school and how they view their achievement."

More than 80 parents from around the province gathered at B.C.'s first-ever Parent Congress last fall, where they shared their vision for the future of education with Minister Bond. The Parent Congress helps fulfil government's throne speech commitment to communicate directly with B.C.'s education partners and seek their ideas for positive change. The Parent Congress complements conversations at the Learning Roundtable, the Teacher Congress and Student Congress.