Alberta new curriculum rollout to be complete by 2024
Posted Apr 13, 2022 3:55 pm.
Last Updated Apr 13, 2022 4:07 pm.
The Alberta government says its new K-6 curriculum will be implemented in schools over three phases.
The first phase starts in the 2022-23 school year, while the complete implementation of the new curriculum is expected by September 2024.
“It is critically important now more than ever that we update Alberta’s decades-old curriculum to give students and stronger foundation for a successful future,” Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The government had previously explained the new English and Math curriculums for students K-3 and the new physical education curriculum for students K-6 will be implemented in September 2022.
“These three subjects in Alberta’s new K-6 curriculum are critical starting points that will set students on the best path for success,” a press release from LaGrange’s office read.
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The Education Minister explained the subjects ready for this fall have been updated based on feedback from parents, teachers who are piloting the new curriculum, and other stakeholders.
“We heard what Albertans and education system partners told us and, with their insight, we updated Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literature to make sure our youngest students have the literacy and numeracy skills essential for early years learning.
“The Physical Education and Wellness curriculum fulfills our platform commitments of ensuring all elementary school students learn the importance of obtaining and providing consent as well as fundamental financial literacy skills.”
The province says changes made to the curriculum address content load, clarity, age appropriateness, and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit content.
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The government’s full rollout was announced Wednesday.
Physical Education:
K-6 will be implemented Sept. 2022
English Language Arts and Literature:
K-3 will be implemented Sept. 2022
Grades 4-6 will be implemented Sept. 2023
Math:
K-3 will be implemented Sept. 2022
Grades 4-6 will be implemented Sept. 2023
Science:
K-3 will be implemented Sept. 2023
Grades 4-6 will be implemented Sept. 2024
Social studies:
K-6 will be implemented Sept. 2024
Fine Arts
K-3 will be implemented Sept. 2023
Grades 4-6 will be implemented Sept. 2024
French:
K-3 will be implemented Sept. 2023
Grades 3-6 will be implemented Sept. 2024
“Educators have told the UCP that this curriculum is not worthy of our students, that the quality is not good enough, and that it’s going to set Alberta education and the students who are here in schools back fifty years or more,” said NDP Education Critic Sarah Hoffman at a press conference Wednesday.
Hoffman calls out the government for claiming they’re updating the curriculum based on feedback they received, as she says most feedback in this curriculum needs to be stopped.
“Overwhelmingly, the feedback has been that this curriculum should be shelved, they shouldn’t be trying to ram this through on schools this fall, that it is not developmentally appropriate, and that it is not a timeline that will set kids up for success. So, that’s the broad public feedback.”
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The Alberta Teacher’s Association agrees that all commentary collected by the government regarding the curriculum should be released publicly to prove educators’ concerns have been meaningfully addressed.
“Teachers don’t trust this minister to take their concerns seriously. This government has a steady track record of putting in their earplugs and dismissing the legitimate concerns of teachers,” ATA President Jason Schilling said in a statement.
“We know that hundreds of teachers, academics, parents, and others have criticized the content and direction of the previous draft directly to the minister and through the very limited dialogue she has permitted to take place.
“But Albertans don’t know if today’s version of the curriculum incorporates that feedback or, instead, continues to reflect the political and ideological interference that has plagued this process so far.”
$59M is going toward teacher professional learning and resources to ensure educators and students are prepared for the new curriculum.
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The Minister says many new resources are available online at New.LearnAlberta.ca to help prepare for implementation and flexible professional learning options will start in May 2022.
But Schilling says despite those resources and regardless of the content, teachers won’t be prepared to implement this in September.
“In previous surveys and engagements teachers overwhelmingly told us that the draft curriculum was not suitable for use in classrooms. 93 per cent of teachers were unhappy with the draft and 94 per cent of school leaders were uncomfortable with it being implemented in their schools.
“We will have to hear now from teachers on whether today’s version alleviates their concerns, but if past practice and attitudes from government prevail, then I’m not optimistic,” he added.
