Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. (Government of Alberta)

By Justin Goulet

Province provides update on changes to draft K-6 curriculum

Dec 13, 2021 | 1:05 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The province is implementing some changes to the draft K-6 curriculum.

Following consultation with parents and school authorities, the Alberta Government will implement new curriculum in September 2022 in three subjects – English Language Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Physical Education and Wellness.

Alberta Education will ask for advice from an advisory group of education and curriculum implementation experts early next year. The group will also offer advice for any changes for the remaining K-6 subjects.

Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange said, “our government committed to a transparent and open review process for curriculum and we are keeping that promise.”

“We have listened to the valuable insights provided by parents, education stakeholders, teachers and Albertans and are making significant content and implementation changes to reflect this. The steps we are taking now will ensure our students are learning from an updated curriculum that prepares them for the future.”

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SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM

The province also noted that a new draft design blueprint will address feedback received related to the age and developmental appropriateness of the Social Studies curriculum and lays out a plan to make content changes.

Further engagement and the blueprint will inform a new draft, which the province says will “continue to ensure students learn historical content, build civic skills, explore First Nations, Métis and Inuit and Francophone perspectives and learn about different cultures and communities.”

Additionally, changes have been made to English Language Arts and Literature, Physical Education and Wellness, Fine Arts (Music) and Science curriculums to add clarity, strengthen content and expand on topics “such as positive body image, climate change and learning about dinosaurs.”

While Alberta Education has made some content changes to these subjects, there are areas still not addressed, such as changes related to First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Francophone perspectives in subject areas outside of Social Studies.

As well, based on feedback, the draft Mathematics curriculum will also be updated in the spring, prior to final implementation in September 2022. All other subjects, including the draft French language curriculum, will also be updated.

MORE ENGAGEMENT

In January and February, there will be further opportunities for Albertans to share their feedback on updated draft content, as well as the draft design blueprint for Social Studies. Residents are being invited to attend virtual information sessions on the updated curriculum and implementation plans, starting December 16.

Albertans can register for those sessions via the Government of Alberta website. The province noted that next spring, it will “carefully consider the feedback from all engagement opportunities and classroom piloting.”

Input will be used to finalize the Social Studies design blueprint, develop the corresponding draft Social Studies curriculum and further revise all subjects in the draft K-6 curriculum.