Basic Skills Certificate - A (BSCA) Program

The Basic Skills Certificate - A (BSCA) Program supports Level One students in an individualized course of study to achieve their educational and personal development goals. This program is for students who wish to develop academic and independent living skills. Program content includes courses which focus on basic literacy and math skills, interpersonal and self-management skills, creativity and self-expression, workplace awareness, and skills for increasing independence. Students will have a maximum of four years to complete the program (under special circumstances the department will give permission for this maximum to increase).

Admission Requirements

Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 19 years of age, or be at least 18 years of age and have been out of the public school system for at least 12 months, or have a school-leaving certificate. Any applicant not meeting the age requirements must be recommended for admission by a secondary school principal or counselor and be interviewed by the ASE Admissions Committee. The recommendation and interview information of the underage applicant will be referred to the Dean. The applicant will be admitted only if approved by the Dean and space is available. In cases of underage admission, continued registration and attendance is dependent on the achievement of specific educational and behavioural standards outlined in an individual performance contract.

General Requirements:

All students must participate in an intake interview with the ASE Admissions Committee. They must:

• Complete a reading assessment with 90% or better in accuracy and 75% or better in comprehension
• Demonstrate the ability to learn and participate in a group setting
• Demonstrate emotional stability - have no behavioural or emotional problems that would significantly interfere with the learning or safety of self or others
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning
• Demonstrate an identified learning difficulty

Eligibility for admission will be based on evidence of the above requirements being demonstrated in the intake interview and must include at least two of the following (students must provide documentation at their own effort and expense):

• Psycho-educational assessment
• Records of previous participation in special or supported programs in a public institution or school (ex: IEP or school transcript)
• Documentation of disability from a physician or medical specialist
• Referral from Community Living BC (CLBC)
• Recommendation from an instructor in the Okanagan College Adult Upgrading Department, another college, or high school
• Referral from a community agency

Program Outline

Optional Electives:

Students may choose to take a course again with permission of the department if:

• There is space. Priority will be given to students who require the course to complete their program.
• The course content is appropriate for the student at this stage of their learning.
• The course load is reasonable.
• They are not over the 12 courses needed for graduation.

Graduation Requirements

Students will be supported to achieve their educational and personal development goals. Courses within the BSCA Program are not in a required sequence. Courses will be offered in a variety of combinations at each campus. Students will be able to enter at any point and will graduate when they have completed the required combination of courses. ASE courses are skills-based and are adjusted to meet individual student need. Course work begins at each student's level of competency. Skills aimed at and achieved will vary according to the needs, goals, and abilities of the students.. Students will have a maximum of four years to complete the program (except under special circumstances, upon recommendation of the department and with permission of the Dean). Students are able to retake courses up to 3 times.

Special Circumstances:

Under special circumstances students will be allowed to take longer than four years to complete their program. Circumstances may include:

• Lengthy illness - supported by medical documentation
• Disability-related barriers (mobility/strength/ability to sustain work focus) which necessitate a slower pace
• Lack of available courses at the campus