New advisory group launched to guide fall roll out of new K-6 curriculum subjects
Alberta Education has created a new advisory committee to help guide the fall implementation of three subjects of the new kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum.
Announced in a release on Thursday, the committee will be made up of Alberta Education officials, teacher representatives from piloting schools, school division officials, and other stakeholders.
It is expected to meet monthly until June, with the first meeting having taken place already earlier this month.
According to the province, the new advisory group will review the English language arts and literature, math, and physical education and wellness curriculums and advise how to roll them out to students and staff for September.
Adriana LaGrange, education minister, said in a statement that the province is committed to ensuring curriculum piloting and implementation are done on a manageable timeline and that a "thoughtful approach" is taken.
"Alberta's government has been listening to all input from Albertans about the draft K-6 curriculum review process," LaGrange said.
"With the expertise of the Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group, Alberta's government will carefully consider how to address the implementation timelines and support the education system throughout the process."
Members of the curriculum implementation advisory group are:
- Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association
- Wilco Tymensen, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
- Bevan Daverne, past-president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
- David Keohane, executive director, College of Alberta School Superintendents
- Michael McMann, superintendent, Fort Vermilion School Division
- Robert Lessard, superintendent, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord
- Andre Tremblay, deputy minister, Alberta Education (chair)
- Jennifer Flaman, assistant deputy minister, Curriculum Division
Other members will also include representatives from the Alberta School Boards Association, two teachers from piloting elementary schools, one teacher from an elementary school, a representative from Edmonton Public Schools and the Calgary Board of Education.
In addition, the executive directors of Early and Middle Years Curriculum, Curriculum Coordination and Implementation, and Learning and Teaching Resources will sit on the committee.
The province says the advisory group members in positions where their names are "already publicly available" have been disclosed. The names of other members will not be released.
"To ensure the personal information of the individuals working in non-public roles, such as teachers, remains private and to help ensure they do not become targets of online harassment, Alberta Education will not be releasing the names of these members," the province said in a statement.
The draft curriculum has received criticism from teachers, parents, education experts, Indigenous leaders, and school divisions for its lack of consultation, plagiarism, and content.
- 'Not suitable': Teachers report slams Alberta’s draft curriculum
- 'Slow down and work together': UCP MLA Tracy Allard writes letter to education minister about draft curriculum
The announcement comes after LaGrange said in December that some subjects receiving large amounts of criticism — including social studies, fine arts, and science — would not be implemented this fall but at a later date.
TEACHER EXPERTISE IGNORED: ATA
At a media availability on Thursday, Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers Association president, said that school boards and superintendents do not implement curriculums, but teachers do.
"The expertise of the 46,000 Alberta teachers has been yet again ignored," Schilling said. "While there is some teacher representation in this new advisory group is woefully inadequate.
"This government continues to change the curriculum on the fly, and they have not responded to teachers' concerns," he added. "It is moving too quickly without the proper phase of piloting.
"We can be helpful if the government chooses to allow us."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.