B.C. High School Students #1 in College-Level Exams
British Columbia students taking college-level courses while still in high school placed first in North America according to the results of the latest advanced placement (AP) exams. The AP Program allows students around the world to pursue college-level studies while still in secondary school. Students with high AP exam results receive credit for first-year college or university courses, which can save them time and money when they start their post-secondary education.
- B.C.’s average score for all AP exams is 3.65 (out of 5). This is an all-time high for British Columbia and the highest average of any Canadian province or American state.
- Canada’s average score was 3.40, compared to 2.88 in the United States.
- Internationally, more than 16,000 schools participate in the AP program, including 145 B.C. secondary schools. Worldwide, close to 1.5 million students wrote more than 2.5 million exams. In B.C., 4,554 students wrote 7,175 exams, comprising more than 37 per cent of all the AP exams written in Canada.
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Province to Raise Homeowner Grant Threshold
For the fifth consecutive year, the Province will increase the homeowner grant threshold in response to rising property values across British Columbia. The new threshold at which homeowners may be eligible to receive the full grant will be $1,050,000 in assessed property value, up from $950,000. Residential property values in British Columbia, including new construction, have increased by 16 per cent over the past year.
- Consistent with adjustments made over the previous four years, the new threshold ensures more than 95 per cent of B.C. homeowners receive the full grant.
- The Home Owner Grant Program reduces the burden of residential property taxes for eligible homeowners. The basic grant entitles a homeowner to a maximum reduction in residential property taxes of $570. An additional grant of $275 – for a total of $845 – is available if the owner is over 65, permanently disabled or eligible to receive certain war-veteran allowances.
- In Budget 2007, the additional grant was extended to low-income homeowners who also meet the above eligibility criteria, regardless of the assessed value of their home. In Budget 2006, the basic grant was increased from $470 to $570.
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Around the Province
Investing in Libraries: A joint investment of $3.4 million from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will help to build a new library for Kamloops and help to upgrade the library in 100 Mile House. The funding is provided through the Canada-B.C. Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (CBCMRIF), which supports the continued growth of communities across B.C. as healthier, greener and more sustainable places to live. Click for more information.
Province Invests $4.9 Million to Protect Affordable Housing: The Province is purchasing the 59-unit College Place Hotel in downtown New Westminster for $4.9 million to protect affordable housing for British Columbians in need. An experienced non-profit organization, Lookout Emergency Aid Society, will manage and operate the building. Some of the existing units will be converted to allow for the establishment of 15 emergency shelter beds, beginning on April 1. This will be done over time as vacancies arise. Click for more information.
