Updating the curriculum in schools across the province is both welcome and in some cases long overdue, says Lissa Steele, associate superintendent of learning services with Chinook's Edge School Division.
Last week Alberta Education announced plans to develop new curriculum for arts, language arts, mathematics, social studies, sciences and wellness.
“I think it's timely,” Steele told the Gazette. “We've been doing a lot of work over the last four or five years with our teachers around what we've called building quality learning environments. So we've really dug into curriculum and pulled it apart.
“When I look at where the province is going, there are some really outdated programs of study. We've got programs of study dating back to the 1980s. I'm talking about the fine arts: art, drama, music. It is really timely that we will take a look at those. They really do need updating.
“I would anticipate with some of our newer programs of studies that there will be some moving around of content. We are really confident in the work that we've done with our teachers and that we will easily be able to support that work moving forward.”
As part of the process, public input will be gathered through online surveys and public meetings.
“We would encourage people to take part in that and we will make sure that we take part in it as well and we will get our teachers involved,” she said.
New curriculum will be developed for kindergarten to Grade 4 by 2018, for grades 5 to 8 by 2019, and for high school grades in phases from 2020 to 2022.
Dr. Paul Mason, superintendent of the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools division, said updating the curriculum is welcome.
“We are pleased with the direction that the minister seems to be heading in,” Mason told the Gazette. “We are hopeful that the minister takes into consideration the extensive work that has gone into previous curriculum revision discussions. We are curious to see if the minister will include that previous work that has gone into curriculum revisions.
“We see the timelines that the minister has indicated to be ambitious and we are hopeful that we will be able to achieve those timelines.”
Asked if he believes there are particular subject areas where the curriculum is well out of date, he said, “There are some curriculum areas that are in need of attention. Social studies is definitely in need of review.”
Parents and other stakeholders should be encouraged to take part in the public input gathering processes, he said.
“We would absolutely participate in the surveys and the face-to-face meetings. It's important to hear from stakeholders when it comes to the revising of curriculum,” he said.
Current curriculum will remain in effect until the new curriculum is put in place.
“Critical subject areas have not been updated in many years, so this work is long overdue,” Minister of Education David Eggen said in a news release.
“It will enhance the ability of those teachers who are teaching multiple subjects across grade levels to provide a more cohesive program, improving the overall learning experience for students and reducing teachers' planning time.”
Alberta Teachers' Association president Mark Ramsankar said development of new curriculum will benefit overall education in the province.
“Sleeker programs, allowing teachers to go more in depth, and to bring in more local elements, will ensure that our programs remain engaging, fulfilling and responsive to student needs,” Ramsankar said in a news release.
“Teachers and the profession are excited for the changes and look forward to partnering with government on curriculum development.”
The new curriculum is being developed to reflect the standards and principles outlined in the Guiding Framework document, which sets a common, student-centred direction for future curriculum, he said.
Wildrose education critic Mark Smith questioned the timing of the curriculum update project.
“For years now, parent groups have objected to discovery learning, and concerns have been raised over a new trend of declining test scores,” Smith said in a news release.
“Minister Eggen's language makes it sound like despite all the work that has already been done, there will be no changes to address these concerns, and that upcoming changes may further alienate parents while elevating the role of bureaucrats in the classroom.”
(Minister) Eggen must resist calls to remove standardized testing, if he insists on moving forward with another curriculum review, he said.
“Provincial achievement tests continue to show issues in areas of math and science,” he said. “The NDP must resist all pressure to do away with these tests as they are an important mechanism to monitor our students' progress and ensure their future success.”
The cost of the curriculum update project has been set at about $64 million.
"We see the timelines that the minister has indicated to be ambitious and we are hopeful that we will be able to achieve those timelines."Dr. Paul Masonsuperindentent Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division
