INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) is continuing the implementation of the new provincial curriculum in its schools, with consideration being made to the demands placed on teachers and students, says superintendent Kathleen Finnigan.
In a recent monthly report to trustees, Finnigan said the division recognizes that “teachers are the experts in implementation and values their professional autonomy in alignment with the division education plan.”
The 10,600-student RDCRS division includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
“We acknowledge that implementation requires change and is a process that takes place over time,” she said. “Just like a classroom, there are many paths, speeds and approaches. This includes alternate paths for those who need to take more time to move from current to new practices.”
In the 2023-24 school year, the finalized curriculum will include kindergarten to Grade 3 French immersion language arts and literature, kindergarten to Grade 3 science, Grade 4-6 English language arts and literature, and Grade 4-6 mathematics.
Schools may also optionally implement Grade 4-6 French immersion language arts and literature, and Grade 4-6 science.
“Teachers have an ability to implement this optional curriculum or just elements of it. RDCRS has a handful of teachers choosing to bring optional elements into their classrooms this year,” she said.
The division has been allocated $227,745 for resource allocation and $223,600 for professional learning and collaboration for the new curriculum implementation. The number equate to $45 per student and $800 per teacher for professional development and collaboration.
“Schools have been allocated amounts based on affected student and staff populations for the 2023-24 school year,” she said.
“Resource allocation and selection will be led by teachers in the schools in collaboration with school administration teams to allow for professional autonomy of delivery within classrooms to best meet the needs of a variety of engaging instructional approaches,” she said.
Those administrative teams have recently met several times to plan for the implementation and development of a collaboration and support system with professional learning plans, she said.
As well, the division has created a website to share the new curriculum resources and support for all staff, she said.
As part of the new curriculum process, school authorities are required to administer literacy and numeracy screening assessments, provided or approved by Alberta Education, to all Grade 2 and 3 students this fall and all Grade 1 students in January 2024.
