Proposed Act would allow parents to see if teachers have been professionally disciplined

“The vast majority of teachers across Alberta are incredible, hardworking educators who have the best interest of their students at heart,” says LaGrange. “However, when instances of professional misconduct or criminal wrongdoing do arise, they need to be dealt with quickly and transparently. By making disciplinary matters more transparent, we will ensure safety for students, confidence for parents and accountability for teachers.”

If a teacher or teacher leader is convicted of a serious indictable offence under the Criminal Code that threatens student safety or public interest, the proposed legislation would also fast track the process to cancel their certificate.

More details on the Students First Act can be found below:

Create a public online registry that shares the professional standing of all teachers and teacher leaders who have held a teaching certificate since 1954 and includes disciplinary details for suspended and cancelled certificates dating back to 1990
Require school authorities to conduct criminal record and vulnerable sector checks upon employing a teacher or teacher leader, and then every five years onward while employed
Reduce the window for judicial review of disciplinary decisions from six months to 60 days to move in line with other provinces
Establish an expedited certificate cancellation process for teachers and teacher leaders convicted of a serious indictable offence under the Criminal Code
Require the ATA to notify Alberta Education’s registrar at various stages of a complaint process, including when a complaint is filed
Streamline multiple ATA disciplinary committees

by David Opinko

Proposed Act would allow parents to see if teachers have been professionally disciplined

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