Moving forward with modernizing student learning

Education Minister Adriana LaGrange and Curriculum Advisory Panel Member Dr. Glenn Feltham with students from St. Marguerite School in Calgary.

An advisory panel appointed by government has provided recommendations for curriculum and drafted a new vision for student learning that will help shape the direction of education.

A new online survey is available until Feb. 24 for Albertans to provide input on the draft vision for student learning. Input received through the survey will be used to inform a new ministerial order on student learning – a document that will define the vision, values, foundations and outcomes for education in Alberta. Feedback collected on the draft vision will also help guide government’s work moving forward with updating the curriculum.

“We committed to improving the education system so our students receive an education that equips them with the skills they need to succeed in life. As part of the curriculum review process, we committed to broadening consultation to hear a wider range of perspectives. With the hard work of the curriculum advisory panel, I am pleased to be at this point in the process where Albertans can provide their feedback on the draft vision for student learning. Setting a new vision for student learning is an important first step in ensuring we take the right approach in updating the provincial curriculum.”

The independent curriculum advisory panel was established in August 2019. Its 12 members have diverse experiences and perspectives that have guided them in drafting a new vision for education and providing a recommendations report on the future direction of curriculum. The panel’s recommendations are centred around the themes of curriculum development, curriculum content and assessment, in addition to some recommendations specific to the draft K-4 curriculum that was publicly released in 2018.

The panel’s full report is publicly available online. Some highlights include:

• ensuring the curriculum remains free from the prescription of pedagogical approaches, like discovery math
• addressing financial literacy, work readiness, wellness and goal-setting to enhance students’ life skills
• implementing standardized assessment tools to evaluate literacy and numeracy in Grades 1 through 5
• aligning the draft K-4 curriculum from 2018 with the new vision for student learning
• providing students with work-integrated learning opportunities
• ensuring First Nations, Metis and Inuit learnings continue to be reflected in our curriculum

“On behalf of all panel members, I’m delighted to have been part of Alberta’s curriculum review process. We recognize that all our students need an education that ensures they thrive in an environment of rapid economic, social and global change. We are counting on our young people to help create a province where all Albertans flourish. While there are elements of the draft K-12 curriculum that serve us well, there is room for improvement. The curriculum advisory panel offered up recommendations to help ensure students have the foundational knowledge, skills and competencies they will need beyond high school to live their best lives.”

“We approached our mandate with one crucial question in mind – what are the key knowledge and skills students should have when they complete high school? From addressing financial literacy to ensuring curriculum is free from the prescription of pedagogical approaches, we believe that these recommendations will help the government move forward as they work to modernize Alberta’s education system.”

The curriculum advisory panel’s report provides advice that is separate from the survey, which focuses on the draft vision for student learning. The panel’s recommendations will be considered along with Albertans’ feedback on the draft vision to inform next steps in updating the curriculum.