The updated school curriculum will be implemented into classrooms starting this fall.
The new K-3 Mathematics, K-3 English Language Arts and Literature curriculum, and new K-6 Physical Education and Wellness curriculum is starting in September.
The new curriculum for grades 4 to 6 Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literature is expected to be implemented in September 2023, with the final curriculum being available in April.
“We promised parents and students an updated curriculum with more emphasis on the literacy and numeracy learning foundations and outcomes students will need for success. We are taking a thoughtful, measured approach and implementing three new subjects in elementary classrooms this fall. 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,” Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange, said in a media release.
The government of Alberta is investing $191 million over three years, and $59 million in 2023 for teacher professional development, learning and teaching resources to ensure teachers and students and ready to implement the new K-6 curriculum in classrooms.
The new Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literature will help younger students build numeracy and literacy skills, while the Physical Education and Wellness will teach students resiliency, how to manage their health, mental health and well-being.
“Introducing the new subjects by common grade groupings that school authorities follow, such as K-3 and grades 4 to 6, will ensure a successful implementation for teachers and students,” the release said.
The implementation of the curriculum will affect approximately 390,400 students and 37,100 teachers.
By May, the curriculum advisory group is expected to make recommendations on piloting and implementation strategies for K-6 French First Language and Literature, French Immersion Language Arts and Literature, Fine Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
President of the Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) JasonSchilling is asking the minister to stop the curriculum implementation of all grades and subjects.
“Schilling says the move to phase in new curriculum implementation is a desperate move to salvage a critically flawed curriculum,” an ATA media release said.
“Enough is enough. The proposed curriculum does not enjoy publicsupport, and the consensus opinion of groups representing parents, teachers, school boards and education faculty is that it cannot be implemented in its current form. It has not been appropriately piloted, and teachers do not have what they need to put it in front of students in only six months,”Schilling said.
The ATA released an opinion poll, that indicated that only three per cent of teachers believe they have the support and resources needed to successfully implement the curriculum this fall.
An Environics Research poll of teachers and the public showed that nine out of 10 teachers and half of Albertans don’t feel like the draft curriculum will provide students with the skills and knowledge they need for future success, the release said.
“Implementing a new curriculum in one grade and one subject requires a significant amount of planning, preparation and resource development on behalf of individual teachers,” Schilling said. “Expecting teachers and schools to implement the curriculum in four grades and three subject areas all at once next school year is a recipe for chaos after two very exhausting years for teachers and administrators. Just stop.”
