The B.C. Society for Public Education, a parents' group, is holding an exam for provincial election candidates. How would you answer their questions?

The BCSPE has also prepared an election kit with advice on how to hold all-candidates' meeting, buttonholing candidates, and getting the word out about candidates' positions (or non-positions).

One page of the kit encourages voters to ask questions on a wide range of education issues.

Some sample questions:

What will you do to protect and enhance public education?

What is your opinion on class sizes? If elected, how will your party ensure that class size and composition allow all students to thrive?

If elected, how will you improve the educational outcomes for aboriginal students?

What is your opinion of advertising and corporate sponsorships in schools?

How will you ensure that all children in BC have access to their school libraries and teacher librarians?

What is your view on standardized tests? Do these tests serve our students?

What will you do to ensure that schools meet the needs of children who have come from other countries? How do you think schools can assist with the successful settlement of children in Canada?

If elected what will you and your party do to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged students and their families?

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.