Lethbridge School Division sign -- LNN

By Connor Gunn

Lethbridge School Division reacts to 2023 curriculum changes

Mar 11, 2022 | 1:53 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge School Division is supporting the Alberta Government’s delay of the Grade 4 to Grade 6 English Language Arts and Literature and Mathematics curriculum.

In a news conference Thursday, an update to the draft K-6 school curriculum was announced.

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

The division announced that there are challenges in the curriculum, saying it is unclear how they should prepare to deliver the new Kindergarten to Grade 3 English Language Arts and Literature and Mathematics curriculum.

School division officials indicate they are being left in the dark about the details of the curriculum changes.

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“It is concerning that a curriculum rollout announcement was made at a time when the curriculum is not even available to look at,” said Board Chair Allison Purcell.

“At this point in time, it is difficult to express support for the government’s overall curriculum plan. The Board agrees with the decision to delay the Grade 4 to Grade 6 rollout, but we are concerned about the fact the Kindergarten to Grade 3 curriculum is not yet available.”

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.

The Lethbridge School Division’s news release reads that while they like some curriculum decisions being pushed back to 2023, there is uncertainty surrounding the rest.

“At this point, the Division is not clear on what the resources will be released [sic] to support the curriculum, or what plans will be developed for professional learning support. The Division is expecting these plans will also be available in April.”

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

Only 5% 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% of the 800 members of the public who were also polled.

Additionally, 86% of ATA members disagreed that they had the resources or supports they require to successfully implement the draft curriculum.

Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Gilmore says the division will put structures in place to ensure staff and students have the supports to be ready for the fall.

“Lethbridge School Division has placed intensive focus on literacy and numeracy pedagogy over the past four years, and will manage the content with sound instructional practice.”

Read more details on the draft K-6 curriculum here.