Draft social studies curriculum: Join the conversation

Posted on Mar 14, 2024

Albertans are once again invited to provide feedback on key learnings in the new draft social studies curriculum.

Over the last seven months, Alberta Education has been engaging with education and community partners, along with curriculum development specialists, to develop a new social studies curriculum. More than 300 education partners, teachers, multicultural organizations, Indigenous and francophone communities have been engaged to gather valuable feedback to help inform the development of a comprehensive new draft kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) social studies curriculum overview and draft K-6 social studies curriculum. A second public engagement is now open until March 29. Albertans can read through the new draft K-6 curriculum and provide their feedback.

“Thank you to the many education partners, community organizations and Albertans who have provided input into the development of new draft social studies curriculum. Your valuable contributions will help ensure Alberta students learn from a curriculum that builds their critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and empowers them to be involved citizens. I encourage all Albertans to share their feedback on key learnings in the draft social studies curriculum, and I look forward to more opportunities for collaboration in the future.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

The consultation process began in summer 2023, when the education minister met with various education partners to build an understanding of the updated engagement approach and process for curriculum development going forward, starting with social studies.

In fall 2023, as part of a phased engagement approach, Albertans completed more than 12,800 online surveys to provide input on what they would like students to learn in new draft social studies curriculum. Survey results indicated that Albertans believe developing critical thinking skills and understanding of local, Canadian and global events, and global and national history should be key elements of new social studies curriculum.

Since then, Alberta Education has met with many teachers, education partners, Indigenous and francophone communities, and multicultural organizations to inform the scope and sequence of K-12 social studies curriculum and the content of the draft K-6 curriculum. Alberta’s government will continue to work with education partners and Albertans to ensure their perspectives and feedback are considered at the right time in the development process.

“We appreciate the province’s attention to feedback towards developing the new social studies curriculum. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the province to ensure the curriculum reflects the needs and aspirations of our students and communities.”

Julie Kusiek, board chair, Edmonton Public Schools

“We are pleased to see that the new draft curriculum has responded to feedback. We look forward to providing further voice to ensure the best possible learning experience for our students.”

Sandra Palazzo, board chair, Edmonton Catholic Schools

“Rocky View Schools values the opportunity to provide input on the new draft social studies curriculum and appreciates that Alberta Education was responsive to feedback and engaged stakeholders throughout the development of this new version. We look forward to further consultation on new curriculum initiatives.”

Fiona Gilbert, board chair, Rocky View Schools

“The social studies curriculum can profoundly shape the hearts and minds of future generations. Ensuring Indigenous voices are embedded in the curriculum is crucial so that students in every part of this province develop a deeper understanding and manâtisiwin (respect) for the First Peoples of this land, their languages, cultures, ways of knowing and being, and their ongoing contributions. This next stage of engagement and the feedback from nîhiyawak (Indigenous peoples) and other Albertans will be of utmost importance.”

Dr. Daphne Mai’Stoina, superintendent, Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Education Authority

“We are pleased to see this curriculum move forward and appreciate the opportunity to test with our teachers and students in our classrooms. This pilot will enable us to provide additional feedback on the final curriculum.”

Joanne Higgins, acting president, Alberta Association of Public Charter Schools

“Alberta School Boards Association appreciates government’s engagement on social studies curriculum. ASBA looks forward to meaningful consultation and collaboration with government and our member school boards on any further curriculum development to support student success.”

Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA)

“CASS expresses its appreciation for the updates provided within the social studies curriculum. The consideration of a K-12 student learning progression, as well as the inclusion of Indigenous and francophone perspectives, will enable a continuum of student learning and critical thinking.”

Dr. Andrea Holowka, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents (CASS)

“Teachers provide invaluable insights and expertise and bring the curriculum to life every day in their classrooms. The Alberta Teachers’ Association remains open to continued collaboration on all aspects of curriculum design and implementation in all grade and subject areas.”

Jason Schilling, president, Alberta Teachers’ Association

“We are very privileged to witness a new trend in social studies where both knowledge and ethics will be combined to nurture the minds and critical thinking of our students.”

Yazan Haymour, president, Canadian Arab Friendship Association

School authorities will have the opportunity to pilot new draft K-6 social studies curriculum in classrooms in the 2024-25 school year so they can provide additional, detailed feedback.

Alberta Education will carefully consider feedback from all engagement activities, research and classroom piloting in order to finalize the new K-6 social studies curriculum prior to implementation.

Key Facts:

The new draft K-12 social studies curriculum overview is a high-level summary of what students learn in each grade and shows how learning progresses as students transition through grades.
The new draft K-6 social studies curriculum is a document teachers will use, providing them with a detailed outline of what students are expected to know, understand and be able to do at the end of each grade.

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