Alberta Education is using advisers who helped create a controversial elementary school curriculum that central Alberta school regions have chosen not to pilot, according to reports.
CBC confirmed on Monday that eight advisers behind the elementary school curriculum will work on the higher grades. CBC learned of their names through a freedom of information request.
“Alberta Education has engaged subject matter experts to provide advice on the scope and sequence of the draft (Grade) 7-10 curriculum based on their areas of expertise,” said Nicole Sparrow, press secretary for Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, in an email.
“The current list of subject matter experts is not final, and more areas of expertise will of course be added as the work progresses.”
Sparrow said that the K-6 curriculum remains a draft and “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.”
During the year-long review, virtual public curriculum sessions are being held each month and in-person sessions will begin in the fall. The government has set aside $1 million for support education partners in their efforts to 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.”