Connect with us
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=12]

Alberta

Back to Basics for K to 12 education in Alberta – Province ditching “discovery” learning

Published

1 year ago

3 minute read

From the Province of Alberta

Improving student learning in Alberta

A new vision to guide education will transform student learning, update curriculum and strengthen the K-12 system.

Alberta’s government is honouring its commitment to end the focus on so-called “discovery” or “inquiry” learning by repealing the 2013 ministerial order on student learning and replacing it with one that will give students a foundation of literacy and numeracy and a knowledge of the rich and diverse history of Alberta and Canada. The new ministerial order emphasizes civic virtues, core knowledge, and outcomes students need to succeed in school and throughout life.

“This new ministerial order on student learning is a return to proven teaching methods that will set up Alberta’s students for rich personal and work lives. Moving forward, education will promote skills development and knowledge pursuit, equipping students to explore opportunities that will help them develop their talents and unleash their potential.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education

The new ministerial order was developed after the government broadened consultations to hear a wider range of perspectives from parents, teachers, and subject matter experts. It places an emphasis on essential core knowledge, evidence and fact-based materials, and focuses on literacy and numeracy as foundational elements woven throughout the entire curriculum.

“As a lifelong teacher, I fundamentally believe that students should gain the knowledge and skills they need to form foundations for successful and fulfilling lives. Literacy and numeracy are the bedrock for successful learning, and I am pleased that the final ministerial order recognizes that importance.”

Angus McBeath, chair, Curriculum Advisory Panel

Now that the new ministerial order is in place, the 2018 draft K-4 curriculum will be reviewed and future curricula will be drafted for the next grades. All draft curricula will be aligned with the new vision.

Due to delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, timelines for piloting the new draft curriculum are being adjusted. Validation will be expanded from K-4 to include Grades 5 and 6. Participating schools will start piloting this curriculum in classrooms in September 2021. At a minimum, a draft curriculum for Grades 7-10 will be ready for classroom validation in September 2022.

It is anticipated that all students attending school in Alberta will be learning from the new K-6 curriculum by the 2022-23 school year.

Quick facts

  • In August 2019, the independent 12-member Curriculum Advisory Panel was established.
  • In December 2019, the panel submitted a draft ministerial order on student learning and recommendations on curriculum direction to government.
  • In February 2020, more than 8,500 Albertans, including education partners, gave feedback on the draft ministerial order during a public engagement.
Related Topics:

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

More from this author
Alberta / 2 days ago

Premier Kenney updates Alberta’s Emergency Health Crisis

Alberta / 2 days ago

Health Minister Tyler Shandro replaced by Jason Copping

Alberta / 3 days ago

Arrested for double murder of Hinto woman and her toddler

Alberta

Pacific FC downs Cavalry FC 1-0 in Canadian championship, Toronto FC next

Published on September 22, 2021

By

CALGARY — Having dispatched one Major League Soccer club in the Canadian Championship, Pacific FC must do that again to continue its march to a title.

Pacific blanked Canadian Premier League counterpart Cavalry FC 1-0 in Wednesday’s quarterfinal. 

The Vancouver Island club will face MLS’s Toronto FC in a Voyageurs Cup semifinal next week. 

“Yeah, we’re playing against an MLS team,” Pacific head coach Pa-Modou Kah said. 

“If you look at for the growth of the league of the CPL, it’s always great to have a team playing in this tournament and also going far. Calgary did it in 2019 and we’re there now.”

Toronto blanked the CPL’s York United 4-0 in an earlier quarterfinal Wednesday.

The Canadian championship gives CPL clubs the chance to knock off MLS teams similar to England’s FA Cup, in which lower-division clubs occasionally topple Premier League sides.

Pacific ousted the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in the preliminary round to advance to the quarters. Terran Campbell, who scored in the win over the MLS side, struck again Wednesday for the Tridents.

The MLS’s CF Montreal, a 3-1 winner over the Halifax Wanderers on Wednesday, joins Pacific, Toronto FC and defending CPL champion Hamilton Forge in the semifinals. Dates have yet to be announced.

Montreal and Hamilton meet in the other semifinal.

“It’s two CPL teams versus two MLS teams, which is fantastic for the league and the growth of the development of the league,” Pah said. “This is a great advertisement for the CPL.”

The 2020 Canadian championship wasn’t completed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Montreal took the title in 2019, when Cavalry lost to them 1-0 a semifinal.

Montreal as defending champion, and Toronto and Hamilton as 2020 finalists, had byes to this year’s quarterfinals. The Canadian champion plays in the 2022 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

Wednesday’s matchup on clear, crisp night at Calgary’s ATCO Field pitted the CPL’s leading clubs against each other. Pacific (10-6-3) tops the table ahead of Cavalry (9-5-4).

Calgary midfielder David Norman prevented a second Pacific goal with a savvy save in the 87th minute. 

With ‘keeper Marco Carducci tangled up with Victor Blasco, the latter got a shot away on net that Norman headed out of danger.

The visitors led 1-0 in the 33rd minute on Campbell’s spinning left-foot chip.

When Cavalry defender Mason Trafford’s header didn’t clear a free kick, Abdoulaye Samake set up Campbell with a header from the side of the box.

Pacific goalkeeper Callum Irving produced his eighth clean sheet of the season.

“Really disappointing not to score a goal and at least take it into penalties,” Trafford said. “Thought we left it out there, especially in the second half. Feel like we had lots of the ball and lots of chances, but we couldn’t seem to find the back of the net.

“Disappointed with the goal we conceded, especially me. Should have got more on the header to clear it in the first place.”

Pacific resumes its CPL schedule Saturday in Hamilton against Forge. Calgary heads to the national capital to face Atlético Ottawa on Saturday in a fifth CPL road game of seven straight for the Cavs.

New pandemic health measures were implemented Wednesday at Spruce Meadows, where fans over the age of 18 were required to show proof of full vaccination and undergo a temperature check before entering ATCO Field. Masks were required in indoor areas.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2021.

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

Continue Reading

Alberta

Narrow win for Liberal candidate Randy Boissonnault in Edmonton Centre riding

Published on September 22, 2021

By

EDMONTON — Liberal candidate Randy Boissonnault has won the riding of Edmonton Centre.

Elections Canada says Boissonnault beat Conservative incumbent James Cumming by 577 votes.

The pair had been running neck and neck since election night Monday, with mail-in ballots still to be counted.

Boissonnault was first elected as a member of Parliament for the riding in 2015, but lost to Cumming in 2019.

In a post on Twitter, Cumming thanks his volunteers and congratulates his opponent.

Boissonnault says in a tweet that he’s happy to once again serve the members of Edmonton Centre.

“In this campaign we said that if Edmontonians came together, we could have a strong progressive voice in government,” he said.

“Edmontonians have embraced a progressive vision of the future, a vision for $10 a day child care, a real plan to fight climate change while growing and diversifying our economy, and a commitment to supporting Canadians to an end of this pandemic and beyond.”

Boissonnault is one of two Liberals elected in Alberta. Former Calgary city councillor George Chahal edged out Conservative incumbent Jag Sahota in Calgary Skyview by 3,324 votes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2021.

The Canadian Press

Continue Reading

Trending

X