Alberta Teachers Association Releases Report Stating Draft Curriculum Not Suitable for K-6 Classrooms

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A new study of the province’s draft K-6 curriculum confirms that the plan is in need of a complete overhaul and rewriting, says the Alberta Teachers Association.

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The 105-page report, released Wednesday, gathered feedback from more than 6,500 teachers and school leaders, including specialists in subjects like math and social studies. It indicates that the majority of Alberta teachers believe that the draft does not meet the government’s own guidelines established by Alberta Education.

Mark Swanson, the ATA’s professional development coordinator, told a virtual press conference Wednesday that the curriculum is out of date.

“Many people describe the current draft curriculum as a curriculum not for this century, but for the century before,” he said.

Jacqueline Skytt, lead author of the study, said she makes it clear that teachers do not believe the curriculum can meet the needs of students in Alberta.

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“They are concerned about all the students in the classroom,” he said.

The study noted what many curriculum experts have said about the draft, including that it is not logically sequenced, not developmentally appropriate, does not respectfully include First Nations, Métis and Inuit stories, contributions and perspectives, and does not include appropriately francophone stories. contributions and perspectives.

“Teachers’ analysis of the draft curriculum identified that racism, sexism, and other forms of intolerance have not been addressed and, in fact, the language of the curriculum promotes racism, sexism, and intolerance,” the study said.

Teachers said the lack of content related to gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, “by default, discriminates against 2SLGBTQ + students and their families.” Many professors also found that the draft reflects a Judeo-Christian bias and a Eurocentric ideology.

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The report noted that the draft weighs heavily on the acquisition of content and facts, and does not support the development of creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

“This is a concern because critical thinking will be replaced by an overwhelming focus on the content of knowledge,” he said.

In a letter to Education Minister Adriana LaGrange before the report, ATA President Jason Schilling regretted that the minister’s calendar did not allow for a September meeting to discuss the report, suggesting that they meet “urgently.”

“Please understand that when it comes to this curriculum, Alberta teachers are united in their concern and overwhelmingly determined on the need for change,” he wrote, adding that piloting is not a priority for this year. school.

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“Now is not the time to test and implement a new curriculum,” said Schilling.

The ATA wants a new provincial curriculum committee to be established to develop a new draft curriculum.

Swanson said that on the government’s 12-member curriculum advisory panel, only three had teaching certificates, but none have taught in classrooms in this century.

“Alberta classroom teachers were not invited to participate in the creation of this draft of the K-6 curriculum.”

Philip McRae, research research associate coordinator, said it is important to hear the voice of teachers.

“Those who are closest to the children on a daily basis in our schools are making a wake-up call, and I think it is our moral imperative to hear what they have had to say,” he said.

… More to come

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