BC Core Competencies on the report card, explained for parents
Alongside subjects like math and science, the BC curriculum has three Core Competencies: Communication, Thinking, and Personal and Social. They are the skills students use to learn anything. Students think about their own growth in them, usually with a short self-assessment, and teachers refer to them in report card comments.
Communication
Sharing ideas and information, and working with others.
- Communicating. Explaining, listening, asking questions and sharing ideas in speech, writing, art or other ways.
- Collaborating. Working with others to plan, share jobs and solve problems together.
Ideas for home
- Ask your child to explain how they got an answer, not only what it was.
- Give them a real audience: a family update, a grocery list, a short talk at dinner.
- Play a board game or build something together, and talk about how you shared the jobs.
Thinking
Having ideas, asking questions and judging information.
- Creative Thinking. Coming up with new ideas, trying them out and building on the ideas of others.
- Critical and Reflective Thinking. Questioning, weighing evidence, and thinking about what worked and what to change.
Ideas for home
- Ask “What else could we try?” when something doesn't work.
- Ask how they know something is true, and where they could check.
- After a project or game, ask what went well and what they'd do differently.
Personal and Social
Knowing yourself, looking after yourself and caring about others.
- Positive Personal and Cultural Identity. Knowing your strengths, your story and the communities you belong to.
- Personal Awareness and Responsibility. Setting goals, managing feelings and staying with a challenge.
- Social Awareness and Responsibility. Caring about others, respecting differences and helping make things better.
Ideas for home
- Let your child set a small goal for the week and check in on it together.
- Name the effort you see: “You kept going even when it was hard.”
- Talk about family stories and traditions, and ask how others see things differently.
Common questions
Are Core Competencies graded?
No. Students reflect on them, often with a short self-assessment and a goal, and teachers may comment on them. They aren't marked on the Emerging to Extending scale the way subject learning is.
What are the BC Core Competencies?
There are three: Communication, Thinking, and Personal and Social. Each has smaller parts. Communication includes Communicating and Collaborating. Thinking includes Creative Thinking and Critical and Reflective Thinking. Personal and Social includes Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, Personal Awareness and Responsibility, and Social Awareness and Responsibility.
Does Gradelings measure Core Competencies?
No. Gradelings practises subject skills in math, language arts, science and social studies and shows how they match the report card scale. Core Competencies grow through conversation, projects, teamwork and play, so we suggest home activities rather than scores.
How can I help my child with their self-assessment?
Ask open questions: What are you proud of? What was tricky? What is one thing you want to get better at? Then let your child use their own words. Teachers care more about honest reflection than a polished answer.
Next: understand the BC report card levels or browse all BC parent guides. Gradelings practises subject skills; Core Competencies grow through conversation, projects and play.
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Curriculum-matched practice for Kindergarten to Grade 9 in British Columbia and Ontario, with kind hints, learning games and no ads. Free for 30 days, no card needed.