2018
Back in 2018, the future was looking bright on the curriculum front. In July of that year, the government released a draft K–4 curriculum that garnered largely positive reviews from teachers and others. Following a survey of more than 2,800 K–4 teachers, the ATA produced its Curriculum Implementation Report. Though the Association had concerns about the curriculum implementation plan, the main documents appeared to be ready for field testing. Here are some excerpts from that document.
The curriculum redesign process currently under way is the most ambitious and far-reaching in the recent history of education in Alberta. The government of Alberta is to be commended for taking on this often delayed and long overdue task and for doing it in a manner that has been more open and inclusive than previous efforts. The involvement of teachers via a partnership agreement with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has been essential to the success of the project thus far and undoubtedly accounts for much of the enthusiasm being expressed by teachers around the promise of the curriculum.
Overall, Alberta K–4 teachers are enthusiastic about the new curriculum and are looking forward to a new program of studies with less content and greater flexibility.
Statements from survey respondents
"I am excited to be able to help students think more deeply about the outcomes and to work on applying their knowledge ... rather than memorizing information."
"I am glad that there are [fewer] outcomes to cover and that there will be a focus on subject integration."
— ATA Curriculum Implementation Report, 2018
2021
By 2021, a revised draft K–6 curriculum was a major cause of concern for the ATA and a large number of its members. Following the government’s release of the revised draft in March 2021, the ATA conducted a study that included input from 6,500 teachers, resulting in the report Professional Curriculum Analysis and Critique of Alberta Education’s 2021 Draft K–6 Curriculum. Here are some excerpts from that document.
In mid-2019, the minister of education terminated the partnership agreement that existed with the Association to develop curriculum. As a result, teachers have been virtually shut out of the development process for the K–6 draft curriculum. The minister did not provide any information to the Association about the scope of the curriculum development, who was writing the curriculum or how teachers would be involved. In December 2020, the department hosted a two-day virtual meeting for 102 teachers who were nominated by school authorities and selected by the minister to provide advice and recommendations on a draft K–6 curriculum. Participating teachers were required to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
The study’s key findings indicate that the draft curriculum does not meet the Alberta Education overall vision, guidelines and considerations for curriculum development.
Statements from survey respondents
"Creativity is mentioned 14 times, but students are never asked to use their creativity to create anything."
"The rote-learning, formula-based approach will likely increase student fear of mathematics and result in disengaged learners."
"We find it offensive that Indigenous peoples are solely referred to in a historical perspective. Indigenous peoples are the first inhabitants and are still here."
— Professional Curriculum Analysis and Critique of Alberta Education’s 2021 Draft K–6 Curriculum, 2021