Due to severe flooding in July, Barnett House will remain closed until early 2027.
The ATA Library is still open and providing resources to members.
Staff are working from home and continue to serve members online and by phone.
The Southern Alberta Regional Office (SARO) in Calgary is unaffected and conducts business per usual.
Bill 35, introduced today by the Alberta government, proposes new requirements for student report cards, public reporting on teachers’ professional development days and processes for addressing parental concerns.
Clear and meaningful communication with families is already an essential part of teachers’ work. That raises a simple question: What problem is this legislation trying to solve, and why doesn’t it apply equally to independent schools? Before introducing new province-wide requirements, the government should clearly demonstrate where it believes the current system is failing and what outcomes it hopes to improve.
Reporting on student learning is already a core element of teacher professional practice. Before implementing standards for the issuance of report cards, the Association expects meaningful consultation with the teaching profession. Any standardized reporting framework must respect teachers’ professional judgement, reflect classroom realities and support meaningful communication with families.
The proposed online tool to gather complaints about schools is redundant. Phone calls and emails to both school divisions and the government are utilized for exactly this reason: to submit and discuss concerns. This leaves the ATA questioning the purpose of this online tool.
The proposed reporting requirements for professional development and other non-instructional days are particularly concerning. Teachers already use these days for essential professional responsibilities that include collaboration, assessment, planning and coordinating supports for students with complex needs. Requiring additional reporting without identifying a specific problem suggests that teachers are not using this time responsibly. That implication is unwarranted and risks undermining public trust in highly skilled professionals whose work is already subject to professional standards, growth requirements and ongoing supervision.
Bill 35 will create additional administrative responsibilities at a time when Alberta classrooms are experiencing unprecedented complexity, growing class sizes and increasing student needs. Every new initiative, whether it be standardized report cards, reporting on non-instructional days or an online tool used to gather complaints about education, demands teachers’ time and attention which could instead be directed toward student learning and support.
The Association is ready to work with government and education partners on changes that strengthen student learning and communication with families. However, that work must begin with meaningful teacher involvement, respect for professional judgment and a clear explanation of how the proposed requirements will benefit students.