Alberta curriculum implementation coming Fall 2022, some updates coming later

Alberta’s education minister says the province will go ahead with implementing its new curriculum when it comes to several subjects by Fall 2022, while others won’t be updated until 2023 or later.

Adriana LaGrange says the province’s curriculum implementation advisory panel has given the government recommendations on how to implement the new curriculum.

Starting this fall, updated curriculum will move forward into elementary school classrooms across #AB. Based on advice from education system leaders, teachers & curriculum experts, #AB’s government will implement new curriculum in K-3 Math, K-3 ELAL and K-6 PEW in Sept 2022. pic.twitter.com/7cgoOk8re6

— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) March 10, 2022

“Renewing Alberta’s decades-old curriculum has been my focus for the past three years, we must give students the foundations for successful futures now more than ever,” LaGrange said at a press conference Thurs.

The government will be updating K-3 math, K-3 english language arts and literature, and K-6 physical education and wellness in Sept. 2022.

“This will help our younger students who are in the critical early stages of their development, strengthening their numeracy and literacy skills,” LaGrange added.

However, math and English language arts and literature for grades 4 to 6 won’t be implemented until Sept. 2023, while it’s still unclear when other subjects —K-6 French first language and literature, French immersion language arts and literature, fine arts, science, and social studies — will be implemented.

The panel is expected to make recommendations on how to pilot and implement those five subjects by May.

Read more:

• Albertans rally in support of Alberta’s public education

• Northwest Territories to use B.C. school curriculum instead of Alberta’s

• Alberta revises parts of contentious K-6 draft curriculum

LaGrange also says the province is earmarking $191 million over three years to try and help make sure the new curriculum is implemented properly.

“The significant investment we are making in curriculum implementation will help ensure teachers have the resources they need to support students in transitioning to the new curriculum,” she said.

However, not everybody agrees. The Alberta Teacher’s Association says there isn’t enough time or resources to implement the new curriculum.

“We need to not implement any of this [curriculum] this fall,” ATA President Jason Schilling told CityNews.

“This curriculum is not ready; it is not anywhere close to being acceptable to teachers and public for implementation in the fall and it’s time for the government to stop this process, go back, and re-evaluate what they’re doing and create a curriculum that is actually going to be acceptable and works for teachers and students in the province.”

But LaGrange rebuts that.

“So again, listening to the system experts, even listening to piloting teachers — some of whom have pilots all the subjects in all the grades — who have said yes, it is doable and able to be successful.”