Holy Spirit Catholic School Division and Lethbridge School Division. (Holy Spirit and LNN)

By David Opinko

February dates announced for K-6 curriculum consultations

Jan 26, 2022 | 2:35 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – If you have been wanting to tell the Alberta Government what you think of its new draft K-6 curriculum, be prepared to set some time aside in February.

The province has announced times and dates for several virtual engagement sessions with a series dedicated to those who live in the South Zone.

Those who live in Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and surrounding communities such as Bassano, Blairmore, Bow Island, Brooks, Cardston, Coaldale, Crowsnest Pass, Fort McLeod, Granum, Irvine, Magrath, Milk River, Oyen, Pincher Creek, Picture Butte, Raymond, Redcliff and Taber can take part.

Sessions will include focused, small group conversations facilitated by independent engagement specialists. During each session, the draft K-6 subject will be considered and discussed so Albertans can provide insightful feedback.

Dates and times for South Zone meetings are as follows:

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

• English language arts and literature
  Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Physical education and wellness
  Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Mathematics
  Thursday, Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Science
  Saturday, Feb. 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 am
• Fine arts
  Tuesday, Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• French first language and literature
  Thursday, Feb. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Draft social studies design blueprint
  Monday, Feb. 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• French immersion language arts and literature
  Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

“Alberta’s government promised a year-long consultation process with multiple ways to provide feedback on the draft K-6 curriculum,” says Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. “These new sessions will enable Albertans to have focused conversations and share specific, constructive feedback on the draft blueprint and subjects they are interested in. I encourage Albertans to participate and have their say. The steps we are taking now to listen to additional input will help ensure our elementary students are learning from the best curriculum possible.”

The draft K-6 curriculum was heavily criticized when it was first presented as it included math subjects that were too advanced for certain grade levels, and social studies content that Indigenous leaders say contained “errors, examples of plagiarism, and content that is not age-appropriate nor reflective of Alberta’s diversity,” among other areas of concern.

Even the updated draft curriculum in December 2021 received mixed reviews from the Lethbridge School Division.

READ MORE: K-6 curriculum update scores mixed grade from Lethbridge School Division

This spring, both the Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division opted out of piloting the draft curriculum, citing significant concerns with its contents.

READ MORE: Lethbridge School Division will not participate in draft K-6 curriculum in 2021/ 2022

READ MORE: Holy Spirit also opting out of draft K-6 curriculum pilot

Last week, the province announced the members for a Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group, who will help to determine how the new curriculums for English Language Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Physical Education and Wellness will be implemented in fall 2022.

More details on the K-6 draft curriculum consultations can be found here.