The IRP combines four key elements of learning to form a functional curriculum overview document. IRPs provide the basic information that teachers will require in order to implement curriculum. These courses must be approved by the local board of school trustees and filed with the Ministry of Education, Skills and Training. The courses are based on subject matter from a particular field of knowledge and skill set that is selected and organized by a particular school or school district. External courses These courses are organized sets of learning activities offered outside the British Columbia school system and set out in Schedule 4 of the Graduation Requirements Order .
Students receive graduation credit for successfully completing an external course.
These courses are of an educational standard equivalent to or exceeding that of Ministry-authorized senior secondary courses. Career preparation programs consist of six courses at the grade 11 and 12 level. These courses may either be Ministry-authorized or career preparation courses. The Ministry recognizes all career programs that have been approved by the school district and registered with the Ministry. These are Ministry-authorized courses offered through the nine regional Distance education schools.