Last month, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced that the county would first implement new English and math curricula for K-3 students and physical exams for all K-6s, but delayed everything else.
The Alberta government announced the timetable for its new K-6 curriculum on Wednesday. (CTV News Edmonton)
“These three courses in Alberta’s new K-6 curriculum are critical starting points that will put students on the best path to success,” LaGrange said Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the province announced the rest of the schedule:
English Language Arts and Literature: Grades 4 to 6 in September 2023 Mathematics: Grades 4 to 6 in September 2023 Science: K-3 in September 2023. grades 4 to 6 in September 2024 Social Studies: K-6 in September 2024 Fine Arts: K-3 in September 2023. grades 4 to 6 in September 2024 French: K-3 in September 2023. Classes 4 to 6 in September 2024
The timeline is based on recommendations from the curriculum implementation advisory group, a team set up to help guide development.
According to the province, the changes made to the draft curriculum related to content load, age appropriateness, clarity of wording and First Nations, Metis and Inuit content.
In 2022-23, the county is also investing $ 59 million in teacher professional learning and teaching resources to ensure teachers and students are prepared for the updated curriculum.
“TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED”#
Curriculum development has come under fire in recent years.
At the end of 2021, the province decided to delay the implementation of social studies, fine arts and science curricula after strong criticism of the drafts released earlier that year.
Rallies were held in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat earlier this month, where protesters called on the government to stop introducing new curricula this fall.
“Parents, teachers, administrators, academics, tribal Albertans, French-speaking and indigenous leaders have repeatedly called on this government to abolish the widely discredited K-6 curriculum re-enrollment,” said NDP education critic Sarah Hoff.
“We just do not think these issues have been substantially revised or improved enough to meet the criteria that experts say should really meet the threshold,” agreed Wing Kar Li, communications director for Support our Students.
Last month, the ATA published a survey showing that 5 percent of teachers agree that the new K-6 curriculum will be positive for students, and 3 percent said they have the resources to support its implementation.
ATA President Jason Schilling said teachers did not have enough time to prepare “meaningfully” to implement it.
“Teachers do not trust this minister to take their concerns seriously about the curriculum implementation strategy,” said ATA President Jason Schilling.
“Teachers know what will work and what will not work in their classrooms, and ignoring this process, the content, the implementation plan, the resources, the evaluation of this curriculum throughout the process, was a move. disrespect from the government of Alberta we are moving forward with this curriculum “.
