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University Transition Program: An Early Entrance to University Program Field Visit

Danylchuk, Daria. Program Coordinator, University Transition Program, University of British Columbia, Canada

Abstract. Unique in Canada and often referred to as “best-kept secret in education, ” the University Transition Program, initiated in 1993 by the Vancouver School Board in partnership with The University of British Columbia and funded by the BC Ministry of Education in 1995, this rigorous two-year program of radical academic acceleration, social-emotional support, career exploration, global citizenship, and social responsibility prepares academically gifted adolescents (ages 13 to 15) for early entrance to university. The presentation, involving program staff, researchers, and current and graduate students and their parents, will span the program development, including the conceptual framework, candidate selection, curriculum and pedagogy in relation to program history and research, the lived experiences of students, stakeholder measures of success, and the program’s continuing evolution. Special guests, Mrs. Jennie Wong and Mrs. Mona Alimin of the Special Education Unit, Ministry of Education, Brunei Darussalam, have visited and studied the program and will describe a pilot study on identification of Year 6 candidates for the Accelerated Program 2010.

Biography

Daria Danylchuk received her Doctorate in Education from The University of British Columbia (Educational Leadership and Policy Program). She is currently employed by the Vancouver School Board with responsibilities for Gifted Education, K-12, and the VSB / UBC Early Entrance to University Program. Her research interests include identification of gifted abilities in diverse populations, gifted education policy and program design, implementation and evaluation.