Alberta’s new advisory group, which will make recommendations to the province on the implementation of the controversial kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum, has received some mixed reviews.
Nicole Buchanan, school board chair with Red Deer Public Schools, said people are still waiting to see the final details of curriculum, and what the 17-member Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group will do.
“The bottom line is there needs to be confidence in the new curriculum and its roll-out process. Without that confidence, there are certainly concerns,” said Buchanan, representing one of many school jurisdictions which decided not to pilot the draft curriculum that raised issues concerning social studies, religion and Indigenous history.
The advisory group will look at how the new curriculum for English Language Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Physical Education and Wellness will be implemented in September 2022. They will also provide advice on the continuation of piloting the remaining K-6 subjects beginning in September 2022, and provide strategies to implement them beginning in September 2023.
The group includes members from the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, four school divisions, government officials, curriculum representatives, two teachers from piloting elementary schools and one other teacher.
The province said the names of some members will not be made public, such as teachers, principals and curriculum experts “to help ensure they do not become targets of online harassment.”
Personally, Buchanan said she was concerned that some names were not released.
“There should be full transparency. The curriculum is important. Why would not all names be released.”
She also wondered if more stakeholders could be part of the advisory group because it’s important that the community support the curriculum.
“It’s important to recognize that the curriculum does not belong to the government. It belongs to our children, and all of our citizens, future and present, in this province,” Buchanan said.
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Tim De Ruyck, Wolf Creek Public Schools superintendent, said he was pleased with the representation on the advisory group.
“I know there be some who feel there should be more representation from various groups. Ultimately that’s an Alberta Education decision,” De Ruyck said.
He said while the curriculum’s final details have yet to be released, the social studies curriculum was being re-examined and delayed which was appreciated. Wolf Creek also did not pilot the curriculum.
He hoped that the curriculum will be implemented in a way that doesn’t overly strain schools in light of the pandemic and that staff will receive the professional development and resources needed.
“It’s a significant undertaking undertaking when you’re talking K to 6, all subject areas,” De Ruyck said.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced the members of the advisory group on Thursday and said the province will carefully consider how to address implementation timelines and support the education system throughout the process.
“Alberta’s government has been listening to all input from Albertans about the draft K-6 curriculum review process. We are committed to taking a measured and thoughtful approach to ensure curriculum piloting and implementation timelines are manageable for teachers and students,” LaGrange said.
Related:
Alberta Education right to delay K-6 curriculum rollout: Red Deer Public Schools
Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers’ Association president, said the advisory group had limited teacher representation.
“As we’ve seen, this government is quick to say that they have consulted with teachers, but that engagement has lacked authenticity and the advice is routinely ignored. They’re not looking for meaningful critique, they’re looking for kudos,” Schilling said in a statement.
He said government continues to change the curriculum on the fly, has not responded to teachers concerns, and is moving too quickly to implementation without an appropriate phase of piloting. He reiterated the call for a moratorium on the implementation until curriculum content is vastly improved.
“We do not even have a final draft of the curriculum and what has been put forward does not enjoy the broad support of teachers or the public. What has been drafted has only been piloted in a small number of classrooms for just a few months—and we don’t know what the feedback from that pilot is. There are no student or teacher resources developed.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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