UCP hires back K-6 curriculum advisors to work on higher grades

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The UCP government has rehired the eight advisers who helped craft Alberta’s elementary school curriculum drafts to work on the higher grades–and that has some raising their eyebrows.

The Official Opposition’s education critic, Sarah Hoffman, is concerned about the call to hire them back when there’s been so much controversy over the current K-6 draft curriculum.

“This tells me that whatever consultation Adriana LaGrange is doing this summer for the K-6 curriculum is a complete sham,” she stated.

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“If she was serious about listening to Alberta families and educators she would not be inviting back the same authors to write more failed content.”

Hoffman calls Premier Jason Kenney’s draft curriculum a “complete disaster” and says it’s “fundamentally flawed.”

“It’s been condemned by Indigenous leaders, by Francophones, and by racialized Albertans,” she stated.

“But instead of listening to this overwhelming feedback from Albertans in every corner of our province, they invited the same team back to start work on the seven to 10 curriculum.”

Alberta Education confirms they will be working with “subject matter experts.”

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“To provide advice on the scope and sequence of the draft 7-10 curriculum based on their areas of expertise,” reads their statement.

“The current list of subject matter experts is not final, and more areas of expertise will of course be added as the work progresses. The draft K-6 curriculum is just that- a draft.”

Alberta Education adds they will be reviewing the seven to 10 curriculum for a year.

“Public curriculum sessions are being held virtually every month and in-person sessions will begin in the fall,” according to the statement.

“There is also up to $1 million available to education partners to support them as they engage their membership and provide feedback on the draft curriculum. Feedback from these engagements, as well as the public online survey, will be critical before we finalize content and will also inform development of future grades.”

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Hoffman says parents and teachers are angry.

“And I want to remind them that Rachel and I have committed to restarting this process if we form government in 2023, and delivering a modern, inclusive curriculum that we can all be proud of,” she stated.

The UCP, meantime, says it is committed to engaging with experts and stakeholders on curriculum reviews.

“Alberta Education has engaged subject matter experts to provide advice on the scope and sequence of the draft 7-10 curriculum based on their areas of expertise. The current list of subject matter experts is not final, and more areas of expertise will, of course, be added as the work progresses,” reads a statement from the province.

“Alberta Education is committed to listening and working with parents, education partners, and Albertans to make improvements on the draft curriculum, that’s why we are supporting and enhancing engagement opportunities.”

-with files from Saif Kaisar