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New elementary curriculum ready for Alberta classrooms in September

Teachers say they’re not prepared to implement curriculum
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All kindergarten to Grade 3 students will learn new mathematics and English language arts and literature curriculum, while all kindergarten to Grade 6 students will learn from the new physical education and wellness curriculum. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

New math, English language/literature and physical education curriculums are ready to be taught in elementary classrooms this September, says Alberta Education.

All kindergarten to Grade 3 students will learn new mathematics and English language arts and literature curriculum, while all kindergarten to Grade 6 students will learn from the new physical education and wellness curriculum.

But many remain critical of the UCP’s updated curriculum.

“These three subjects in Alberta’s new K-6 curriculum are critical starting points that will set students on the best path for success,” said Education Minister Adriana LaGrange during a press conference.

“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.”

Changes to all three draft curricula included updates to address concerns about content load, age appropriateness, wording clarity, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit content.

Content related to creative and critical thinking, and digital literacy, was strengthened in English language arts and literature curriculum.

Mathematics content was redistributed and strengthened to address fractions, measurement, operations (adding/subtracting, multiplying/dividing) and percentages to better develop number sense.

Enhancements to the physical education and wellness content related to consent, mental health, nutrition, safety, physical fitness, foundations and confidence to value physical activities for life.

Related:

Central Albertans protest K-6 draft curriculum in Red Deer

“Adriana LaGrange claimed that she listened to Albertans’ feedback on this draft curriculum, but if that were the case this entire K to 6 curriculum rewrite would have been put in the trash, and we wouldn’t see it being forced on Alberta schools,” said the NDP’s education critic Sarah Hoffman.

She said despite widespread condemnation, the province insists on ramming through a flawed curriculum.

“Parents, teachers, trustees, academics, racialized Albertans, Francophones, and Indigenous leaders have repeatedly called on this government to scrap the widely discredited K to 6 curriculum rewrite. Just two weeks ago, hundreds of Albertans gathered in cities across the province to protest implementing the curriculum in elementary classrooms this fall,” Hoffman said during a press conference.

Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers’ Association president, said LaGrange must release all commentary collected by government over the past year before teachers will have confidence their concerns were meaningfully considered and 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,” 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.”

Related:

Updated curriculum will move forward into classrooms this fall

In 2022-23, the province is putting $59 million towards teacher professional learning and resources for the updated K-6 curriculum. This funding is part of a $191-million investment over three years to support curriculum implementation across the province.

School authorities will receive more details directly from Alberta Education to facilitate planning and implementation for September. They will also continue to have the flexibility to select resources to support curriculum implementation in their classrooms.

Albertans can access the final curriculum and see what has changed at alberta.ca/curriculum.



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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