Central Alberta school districts received a hefty financial boost to move toward inclusive education.
Alberta Education allocated the $12 million set aside from the February’s provincial budget to support implementation of the Action on Inclusion initiative for the 2011-12 school year.
The Red Deer Public School District received $250,000 as one of 12 boards in the province granted “change agent” or leader status. In September, change agent jurisdictions will find out more information on their roles.
Jodi Goodrick, assistant superintendent, student services, said there will be a strong provincial component to the designation where these boards will be asked to present at symposiums across Alberta.
Goodrick said the funding will be used to strengthen current initiatives in assisting teachers to meet diverse learner needs.
The remaining boards were designated capacity builders who could use the funding for professional development, hiring teachers or educational assistants or purchasing equipment for the district.
Most school boards have only tentative plans for the funding since the districts were only notified of the allocation last month.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools received $113,000 in funding.
“We are in the discussion phases of looking at putting teacher leaders in place to support inclusive education,” said Sally Deck, director of special education for the Red Deer Catholic Regional School District. “And possibly using it to expand our use of assistive technology in the classroom.”
Chinook’s Edge School Division received $185,324.
Wanda Christensen, associate superintendent, student services for Chinook’s Edge School Division, said the district will continue to build on the plan and strengthen the school division with the funding.
“Our focus will be working with our teachers,” she said. “Bringing in training for them to build and enhance the work they are already doing.”
Wolf Creek School District received $120,000. No figures were available for Wild Rose Public Schools.
An inclusive education system is one where there is appropriate learning environments and opportunities for all students.
• The board of trustees formed a design committee to review the floor plans for the new kindergarten to Grade 5 school in southeast Red Deer at its board meeting last night. The nine-person committee will consist of the superintendent, associate superintendent, business services; two elementary school principals, two teachers, two classified staff and Trustee Bev Manning.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com