The Yukon’s secondary schools will now have until September 2019 to prepare for the implementation of the redesigned curriculum for Grades 11 and 12.

The original plan was for implementation in September 2018.

The latest plan, announced Tuesday, aligns with the British Columbia government’s announcement that it has extended its implementation timeline for these grades.

The Grade 10 curriculum will be introduced as planned in September 2018.

Current Grade 9 students will continue in the new curriculum as they progress to graduation.

To keep implementation periods aligned with British Columbia, the Yukon government has also decided to delay the introduction of the new literacy assessment by one year, to January 2020.

Extending the timeline will provide more time for students, parents, teachers, administrators and post-secondary institutions to implement the planned changes, said the Department of Education.

“We are pleased with our continuing partnership in education with British Columbia, a leader in education in Canada,” said Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.

“By aligning our implementation schedule with theirs, we can continue to work together on the Grade 11–12 curriculum and new system-wide assessments so that Yukon students are well-prepared for post-secondary success.”

Yukon schools began using the new Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 curriculum during the 2017-2018 school year. This announcement does not affect those grades.

The curriculum changes introduced in September of this year began with a focus on classroom instruction and assessment, as well as the integration of Yukon First Nations ways of knowing and doing.

New literacy and numeracy assessments will replace the B.C. provincial exams.

Yukon schools follow B.C.’s curriculum and program of studies, with additions in all grades that reflect Yukon’s context and First Nations.

The extended implementation timeline reflects feedback B.C. received from post-secondary partners and educators.

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