Update on Changes to BC Science 10 Exam

I've had a chance to email chat with the Ministry and I think I have a bit more context and background information around the recent changes. For those who may not be teaching Science 10, the following information was released by the Ministry in relation to the Science 10 provincial exam.

"Science 10: Effective September 2011, the prescribed learning outcomes which cover the Energy Transfer in Natural Systems sub-organizer, will no longer be examined on the Science 10 provincial examination."

More specifically this means the following PLO's are no longer part of the exam.

It is expected that students will:
D1  explain the characteristics and sources of thermal energy
D2 explain the effects of thermal energy within the atmosphere
D3 evaluate possible causes of climate change and its impact on natural systems

This unit is generally known as the climate change unit and from a historical perspective in curriculum development it's intention was to give the students an opportunity to apply the various concepts and skills learned in grade 10 to a current and relevant issue. Or put another way, it's purpose was promote student engagement.

Be that what it may, here's a summary of the answers from the Ministry to some of the questions around these changes. I have paraphrased some of the answers for sake of clarity.

Why was this change to the Science 10 made?

Energy transfer in natural systems is taught in a variety of ways in a variety of curricula at several grade levels, including in Science 10. For example:
   
1)    SS 10 has some overlap in the area of sustainability, and thus this unit would cover some of the heat transfer content.
2)     The Kinetic Molecular Theory is in both Sc 8 and Sc 9.
3)    Atmospheric pressure is part of the Sc 8 curriculum as is a unit on greenhouse gases and human effects upon the environment as well as permafrost shrinkage, along with:
*    PLO D1-1 thermal energy, difference between heat and temperature
*    PLO D2-3 Fluids and density (affect on weather of changes in air density; natural movement of fluids from areas of high pressure to low; creation of wind)
*    PLO D2-3 Affect of ocean currents and oceans upon climate
*    PLO D3-1 Effects of wind (introduction of the Coriolis effect
4)    Those students who choose SS 11 will also get instruction in climate change. The content of at least one-half of the deleted Sc 10 items would be covered.
5)    Those students interested in selecting Geography 12 will receive comprehensive instruction on weather. It provides excellent coverage of items not necessarily discussed in SS 11 climate change

In Science 10, PLO's D1-D3 are currently being taught in various ways to varying depth of coverage as a result of the above, and the fact that the content of these PLO's is largely unfamiliar to many Sc 10 teachers. This is fine, so long as their students are examined accordingly, by those who teach the content and determine the context in which it will be delivered. 

Who makes the recommendation for such exam changes and what was the rationale for this change?

Because of the difficulty in ensuring that Provincial examination items on these PLO's are fair and equitable given the variety and depth of content coverage as well as the varying contexts within which the content is 'wrapped',  the members of the Provincial Examination Preparation and Review teams requested that the examination of these PLO's be left up to the discretion of individual teachers. 

Does this mean the PLO's are removed from the curriculum?

No, Teachers retain the opportunity to teach and examine this material within a variety of contexts, depending upon their specific strengths and interests. Note Plate Tectonics remains Provincially examinable and thus so do those aspects of PLO D1 contained therein.