INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) is awaiting word from Alberta Education on what additional resources will be provided to help implement new screening tools for young students, says superintendent Kathleen Finnigan.
New assessments of young learners are being implemented over the next two years, beginning with kindergarten students next school year.
Under the new requirements, students in grades 1 to 3 will be assessed twice a year, with students receiving extra support being assessed a third time in June of each school year.
In January 2025, early literacy and numeracy screening will be introduced for kindergarten students, followed by new screening requirements for grades 4 to 6 starting in September 2026.
Under the plan, school authorities such as the 10,600-student RDCRS will be provided with a list of approved assessments for staff and will have the autonomy to select the screening and assessment tools needed to support their students.
“We eagerly await to hear how Alberta Education envisions this further testing will help staff focus instructional practices, its continued connection to the new curriculum, and what additional supports will be provided to assist students identified in this expanded testing,” Finnigan told the Albertan.
“Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools has been pleased with the support from Alberta Education around learning loss interventions for students that have been in place.”
The changes come as teachers across the province are working to bring new curriculum into classrooms.
“Our teachers have been working hard to implement the new curriculum and we are pleased with the focus on foundational reading skills. Our teachers know our students well and routinely utilize data to form instruction,” she said.
The new assessments will enable school authorities to make local decisions to better support students specialized learning needs, said Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of Alberta Education.
The 46,000-member Alberta Teachers' Association says the Alberta schools need more funding, not more student assessment testing, says president Jason Schilling.
“Alberta is not going to test its way out of underfunding,” he said. “It’s time our provincial leaders got their priorities right.”
Medical leave program updating
In other RDCRS news, upcoming changes to Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP) medical leave program, including updates to the sick leave provisions, are welcome, says Finnigan.
In her recent monthly report to trustees, the superintendent outlined some of the upcoming changes.
“We are excited to share some improvements to ASEBP’s medical leave program,” she said. “The sick leave support program (SLS) will be launched in January 2025, replacing the early intervention program (EIP) that we are currently utilizing, offering several enhancements.
“The SLS offers comprehensive active case management for all covered members on sick leave, not just those needing a gradual return to work as with the EIP in the past, proving support to even more of our employees in need that are on sick leave.”
The SLS also provides active case management, medical assessments, treatment coordination and funding if applicable, but unlike EIP which lacked the elements in all cases, she said.
Meanwhile, the addition of complex learner bus attendants in the district during the 2023-24 school year has proven to be successful, she said.
“The feedback from drivers, parents and administrators has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the invaluable support these attendants provide for students who require additional assistance during their bus journey,” she said.
“Additionally, we are pleased to report that we have received zero submissions to our specialized rider communication from bus drivers, indicating a smooth and effective operation.”
The 10,600-student RDCRS includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
