Share Your Input on Alberta’s K-6 Draft Curriculum

On Monday, March 29, the Government of Alberta released the draft K-6 curriculum, with full implementation set for September of 2022.

Curriculum is at the core of education and defines what students are expected to know and understand in each subject and grade. We understand that the department has set up a process for public input on the draft curriculum and we strongly encourage all stakeholders to participate. https://www.alberta.ca/curriculum-have-your-say.aspx This is a way to have your say in what Alberta students will be taught and learn how the current draft was developed.

As a division, we are just reviewing the draft curriculum now and we plan to participate actively in all engagement opportunities over the next year, including the online survey.

We are encouraged that Alberta’s proposed new curriculum for young students focuses on literacy, numeracy and practical skills including computer coding, budgets and public speaking.

At the same time, we understand there are some concerns with the Social Studies curriculum, with respect to diversity, religion, and Truth and Reconciliation. St. Paul Education fully supports the TRC Call to Action to make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and the contributions of Indigenous and Métis people to Canada a mandatory education requirement for all students, starting in kindergarten.

Piloting of the draft curriculum is set to begin this September across the province and St. Paul Education teachers will have the option to participate. Piloting the draft curriculum will allow our teachers the opportunity to identify both its strengths and areas where further refinement is needed.

According to the Alberta Education website, public input on the draft curriculum will stay open until spring 2022. We are also aware that there will be additional targeted consultations. Once again, we encourage all stakeholders to get appropriately involved in this critically important process.