Board / authority authorized courses (BAA) are designed to meet local community needs while providing choice and flexibility for students. Each secondary school offers a variety of board authorized courses that provide unique opportunities for students to explore particular subject areas in greater depth.
By July 2018, all existing Grade 10 BAA courses must be updated to the revised BAA Framework that embodies the Know, Do, Understand model of the revised BC curriculum. By July 2019, all Grade 11 & 12 BAA courses must also be updated to this framework.
Process for submitting a new BAA proposal:
- Review the Ministry of Education’s BAA Requirements & Procedures guide
- Consult with your school administration
- Download the revised BAA Template
- Use the BAA application checklist to guide your process.
- Submit BAA application to your school administrator for review.
- Upon approval, you administrator will submit your BAA application to the SD61 Learning Team.
- You will receive feedback on your final application before it goes to the board.
- Present your course proposal to the SD61 School Board.
Note: for a new BAA course to be approved, a teacher will need to demonstrate how the course differs from currently available options under the new curriculum. There should be minimal curricular overlap between a BAA course and a standard BC curriculum course.
BAA timeline for a potential September course start:
- November 1 – Intent to create BAA course must be declared to school administration.
- December 1 – BAA Application draft must be submitted by school administrator to the Secondary District Team
- First week back from Winter Break – Final draft of BAA application should be completed and submitted to school administrator who provides the final review and then submits the course to the district.
- January School Board Meeting – BAA course proposal presented to the SD61 Trustees. Teacher and administrator should be prepared to discuss the merits of their application.
- If application is successful, course can begin the following September.
BAA Application Resources
- Ministry of Education BAA Requirements & Procedures
- Indigenous Worldviews and Perspectives: Moving Forward
- Revised BAA Template (Word format)
- Sample BAA Application
- BAA application checklist
- BAA assessment form used when reviewing applications
- BAA ELL Course Framework
BAA Revision Process
Current SD61 BAA Course List
| Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Leadership 10 | Astronomy 11 | Athletic Leadership 12 |
| Beginners ELL 10 | Athletic Leadership 11 | Athletic Leadership: Baseball/Softball 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 10 | ||
| Community Leadership 10 | Athletic Leadership: Baseball/Softball 11 | Autobody 12a |
| Performance Training 10 | Autobody 11a | Autobody 12b |
| Electronics & Electrical 10 | Autobody 11b | Automotive Service & Repair 12 |
| Aviation Maintenance 12 | ||
| ELL Learning Strategies 10 | Automotive Service & Repair 11 | Aviation Fabrication 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 11 | Automotive Service Technician 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d | |
| Flexible Studies 10 | Community Leadership 11 | Aviation Systems & Design 12 |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 12 | ||
| Introduction to Autobody 10 | Computer Graphics & Animation 11 | Community Leadership 12 |
| Introduction to Hairstylist 10 | Design & Innovation 11 | Computer Graphics & Animation 12 |
| Junior Art Metal 10 | Digital Photography 11 (formerly Digital Imaging 11) | Co-Operative Education 12 A/B/C |
| Learning Strategies 10 | Electrical Apprenticeship 11 | Criminology 12 |
| Outdoor Education 10 | ELL Academic Literacy 11 (formerly ESL Composition 11) | Design & Innovation 12 |
| Peer Tutoring 10 | Environment & Sustainability 11 | Digital Photography 12 (formerly Digital Imaging 12) |
| Explorations in Computers 11 | ||
| Principles of Sport 10 | Flex Studies 11 | Electrical Apprenticeship 12A |
| Symphony Orchestra 10 | Human Performance 11 (formerly Performance Training 11) | Electrical Apprenticeship 12B |
| Teacher Assistant 10 | Indigenous Leadership 1 (formerly Indigenous Cultural Connections 11) | Environment & Sustainability 12 |
| Explorations in Computers 12 | ||
| Ukulele 10 | Indigenous Theatre & Leadership 11 | Film Studies 12 |
| Yoga for Mindfulness 10 | Integrated Studies 11 | Flex Studies 12 |
| Intercultural Studies 11 | Gender & Sexuality in Society 12 | |
| Intermediate ELL 11 (formerly English Language Development 11) | Icons Through Art History 12 | |
| Journalism 11 | Global & Intercultural Skills Program 12 (formerly Global & Intercultural Studies 12) | |
| Learning Strategies 11 | History of Rock and Roll 12 | |
| Library Sciences 11 | Human Performance 12 (formerly Performance Training 12) | |
| Outdoor Leadership 11 | Introduction to Aviation 12 | |
| Pastry and Baked Products 11 | Journalism 12 | |
| Peer Tutoring 11 | Learning Strategies 12 | |
| Performance Training 11 (formerly Cross-Training 11) | Marine Biology 12 | |
| Professional Cook 11a & 11b | ||
| Reconnecting Youth 11 | ||
| Principles of Sport 11 (formerly Principles of Rugby / Soccer 11) | Outdoor Leadership 12 | |
| Psychology 11 | Peer Tutoring 12 | |
| Symphony Orchestra 11 | Performance Training 12 | |
| Teacher Assistant 11 | Principles of Sport 12 (formerly Principles of Rugby / Soccer 12) | |
| Professional Cook 12a & 12b | ||
| Textiles Arts and Crafts 11 | Psychology 12 | |
| Travel Languages 11 | Scholarship Prep 12 | |
| Ukulele 11 (formerly Strings & Fretted Instruments - Ukulele 11) | Symphony Orchestra 12 | |
| earbook 11 | Teacher Assistant 12 | |
| Yoga for Mindfulness 11 | Ukulele 12 (formerly Strings & Fretted Instruments - Ukulele 12) | |
| Women's Studies 12 | ||
| Yearbook 12 | ||
| Yoga for Mindfulness 12 |