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December 15, 2004

UPDATES from Lynne Sinclair (BCTF) and Rick Davis (Ministry of Education)

SUBJECT: School Psychologists

You will recall that school psychologists are being threatened with forced membership in the College of Psychologists due to international trade agreements. The ministry of health is threatening to lift a longstanding provision that exempts school psychologists from having to belong to the College of Psychologists which mainly governs clinical psychologists. We have been actively representing our members in this situation and have so far avoided their having to pay exorbitant fees and even face dismissal due to a failure to meet the qualifications and testing requirements of that college.

Recently, a few BCTF staff met with the deputy minister of education and raised the issue there. We impressed upon him the importance of ensuring that a resolution is reached on this matter and that educational services to students are first and foremost in any decisions. The table officers also raised the matter with the minister and impressed upon him the need for his office to assert educational needs and realities with the ministry of health.

Our discussions appear to have been somewhat successful. The ministry of education has clearly become more active and forceful in defending school psychological services. As a result, the following message was sent from Rick Davis in the ministry to us and other stakeholders:

Lynne Sinclair, Director, Field Service Division,
British Columbia Teachers' Federation, 100-550 West 6th Ave.


December 14, 2004

We had a very good meeting with Ministry of Health officials this morning on this issue. You will remember that amendments were contemplated to regulations under the provisions of the Health Act. The amendments would have the effect of ending the exemption that applies to persons (often called school psychologists) employed by school boards to conduct assessments and diagnose students. These persons are not currently required to be members of the College of Psychologists but would be required to be members if the exemption was ended.

As many persons working in these positions do not qualify for membership in the College, many school psychologists and psychometricians now employed by school boards could no longer practise. Diagnostic services in schools could only be delivered by members of the College of Psychologists. Presently members of the College are mainly in private practice and very few district employees are members of the College.

The Ministry of Health has heard our concerns about the impact of these proposed changes on school districts and on those teachers acting in the capacity of school psychologists. Two very significant statements emerged today.

* Because of the timing around drafting amendments, consultation and implementation, the earliest time that any decision regarding the current exemption could take effect will be September 2006.

* Although the nature of proposed changes is unclear at this time, we were assured that Health is mindful of the needs of school boards and schools. Health officials committed that, 'Access to necessary school psychologist services will not be compromised in school districts.' (as a result of potential changes to the exemption)

We are providing the Ministry of Health with additional information respecting this issue and continuing to work with this Ministry. A range of options with little impact on the way school districts offer these services are under consideration. I understand that this has been a 'one-year at a time' approach that has been unsettling to school districts and school psychologists. While this may seem like just an extension for another year, I am confident an ongoing solution is closer to hand.

Rick Davis
Superintendent, Liaison
Ministry of Education
December 13, 2004

BCASP Application for College Status (large PDF file)