Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Some new school curriculums to start this fall, others pushed to 2023

Mar 10, 2022 | 4:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Yet another update in the Alberta Government’s efforts to update the draft K-6 school curriculum.

Back in December, the province announced that three subjects – English Language Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Physical Education and Wellness would be debuted in September 2022.

READ MORE: Province provides update on changes to draft K-6 curriculum

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

Now, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange says those plans have changed slightly.

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“We promised parents and students an updated curriculum with more emphasis on the literacy and numeracy learning foundations and outcomes students will need for success. We are taking a thoughtful, measured approach and implementing three new subjects in elementary classrooms this fall.”

Starting in September 2022, students will be learning the new curriculums for K-3 Math, K-3 English Language Arts and Literature, and K-6 Physical Education and Wellness.

New Grades 4-6 programming for both Math and English Language Arts and Literature will start in the fall 2023 term.

A press release from the Ministry of Education states that these decisions came from the recommendations of the Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group, which comprises of members from across the education system.

By May, the group is expected to give their recommendations on piloting and implementing the remaining five K-6 curriculums: French First Language and Literature; French Immersion Language Arts and Literature; Fine Arts; Science; and Social Studies.

Wilco Tymensen, President of the College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS), says he was happy to see their input and recommendations being taken into consideration.

“CASS is pleased to see a staggered implementation schedule that provides school authorities more time to seek clarity around content, build capacity of educators to understand the curriculum, and collaboratively support teachers in the pre-planning process for curriculum implementation. We look forward to the release of further information in the weeks ahead and reviewing curriculum changes based on broad feedback.”

Earlier today, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) released the results of a survey that was conducted for them by Environics Research, which looked into the perceptions of the draft K-6 curriculum among ATA members and the general public.

Only five per cent of the 825 teachers surveyed strongly or somewhat agreed that the draft curriculum would provide students with the knowledge and skills to form the foundations for successful and fulfilling lives.”

This opinion was shared by 25 per cent of the 800 members of the public who were polled.

86 per cent of ATA members disagreed that they had the resources or supports they require to successfully implement the draft curriculum.

More details on the draft K-6 curriculum here.