Concerns raised after Alberta Education announces new pilot draft curriculum
Alberta schools boards can choose to pilot three more subjects in the new K-6 draft curriculum this fall, which is drawing criticism from some parents and student advocates.
The first subjects will be science for kindergarten through Grade 6 students, French first language and literature, and the language arts and literature subject in French immersion programs.
The pilot program is optional.
Education Minister Adriana Lagrange unveiled the subjects and scope of pilot program on Tuesday.
"We have had the most extensive engagement process that I would say Alberta or any other province has ever seen on seen on curriculum development, where anyone and everyone has had the opportunity to share their feedback," she said.
Feedback is also being collected from the public through to spring 2023
FEEDBACK CONCERNS
However some Alberta parents are concerned Alberta Education officials haven't heard from a diverse perspective to incorporate into the draft curriculum.
"The main thing for me, is it doesn't incorporate the call the Truth and Reconciliation, calls to action 62 through 65, which are related to education," said Kim Thorsen, a Edmonton parent of a young student.
"That seems like such an obvious no-brainer. Those are already prepared for you, just incorporate those in the curriculum, (but) they were ignored."
Other parents say they are not keen for any further changes to the children's course load as the pandemic has already caused learning delays, with frequent shifts to online learning since March 2020.
“My fears with this new curriculum is that everything that they're going to try to push through all those kids that have been losing things in the past two years are going to get even further behind," said Cathy Reitz, whose son is in Grade 3 at a Calgary public elementary school.
Advocacy group Support Our Students (SOS) says it wants more transparency from the province regarding the draft curriculum revision process.
"We're really hoping to hear the government was going to release the results of the consultations," said executive director Medeana Moussa.
"(The province) got overwhelming engagement because parents, teachers, school boards, are very concerned about how this curriculum was developed in the first place."
FRENCH BOARD APPROVAL
Four Francophone school boards initially refused to implement early draft versions of some subjects and officials said Tuesday they accept changes regarding the French language subjects included in the next phase of the pilot.
"All four Francophone boards, teachers and educational advisors provide feedback that was that was reflected in this new draft," said Tanya Saumure, president Fédération des conseils scolaires francophones de l’Alberta.
"We will continue to work with Alberta education to provide feedback and to ensure that the new first French and new French first language and literature program meets the needs of francophone students across Alberta."
The president of the Federation des Parents Francophone de l'Alberta also expressed support.
"My expectation is that they will have rectified what was missing and made certain that the new draft meets the needs of the francophone students in our province," said Nadine Morton.
Morton adds that parents in the francophone community are still awaiting draft changes for social studies and music.
OTHERS OPPOSED
Leaders with the NDP opposition say if elected to government, they would go back to the drawing board.
“We would welcome teachers back to the table and we would make sure that we create a long term curriculum that can be successful for future generations," said Education Critic Sarah Hoffman.
Alberta's teachers' union says time is tight, and its members are challenged with ongoing pandemic concerns, including shortages due to sick leave, and the lifting of all public health restrictions in March.
“We're talking about the fall in September, that's only a couple of months away. We're in mid-May," said Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association.
"There's a point in time where the government sort of needs to recognize we're too late to implement this in the fall, we are asking too much of our education system to do this next year. We need to scale this back."
Schilling says 97 per cent of teacher's have previously stated they lack confidence in the draft curriculum.
PILOT DETAILS
School boards have until June 6 to express interest of participating in the pilot.
Of the $59 million allocated for the curriculum overhaul program, the province will spend $6.5 million to support piloting program and feedback sessions.
Feedback has been collected over a 12-month period starting in March 2021 through online surveys and engagement sessions.
Alberta Education is expected to release the final draft of the curriculum in spring 2023 to be implemented that September.
The new curriculum will be implemented province-wide for the 2023-2024 school year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.