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Red Deer Public teachers ready to bring new curriculum to the classroom this fall

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Red Deer Public’s Learning Services Team have been working hard to ensure our elementary school teachers are well prepared and are confident to teach the new curricula this fall.

For a second school year in a row, our Kindergarten to Grade 3 teachers will start their school year delivering a new provincial curriculum. Science teachers and French Immersion Language Arts and Literature teachers in Kindergarten to Grade 3 will begin teaching a new curriculum this fall. As well, Math and English Languages Arts and Literature teachers in Grades 4-6 will implement new curriculums in September. The Provincial Government postponed the implementation of the new Fine Arts curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 3, and the Science curriculum for Grades 4-6.

During the 2021/2022 school year, in preparation for this new curriculum implementation, 148 teachers were involved in training, many in both Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literacy. In 2022/2023 Red Deer Public continued supporting these teachers, added training in Physical Education and Wellness for Kindergarten to Grade 6 teachers, and training for teachers implementing new curriculum in the 2023/2024 school year. The Learning Services team has trained approximately 491 teachers, in multiple subject areas, over two years in Red Deer Public Schools.

“Our Learning Services team has hosted all of our elementary teachers at our Central Services location for multiple training sessions. This has meant that every elementary teacher has had three full days with us immersed in the new curricula with some returning for planning and creating resources,” said Della Ruston, Associate Superintendent of Learning Services. “These sessions have been invaluable because it has allowed our Learning Services team to collaborate with teachers as we all work our way through the new curricula and learning outcomes.”

The province has supported this professional learning by providing $198,000 for the 2022/2023 school year and $191,000 for next year to Red Deer Public. Another $254,340 was provided in 2022/2023 and $259,155 for next year to purchase learning resources for the new curricula.

“We are really fortunate as a Division to have a strong Learning Services team who has the ability to guide our elementary school teachers through these new curriculums,” said Ruston. “In addition, the support of our Board and administration has allowed us to ensure we can best support our teachers in the classroom.”

First Nations, Metis and Inuit Learning Services Coordinator Hayley Christen and Lead Teacher Terry Lakey have worked alongside all of the Learning Services coordinators to ensure authentic Indigenous teachings that align with and are infused throughout the new curricula.

“We are confident that our teachers have the knowledge, understanding, and best resources for teaching and supporting the implementation of new curricula to our students heading into the fall,” said Ruston.

Red Deer

St. Joseph High School Celebrates Brody Andrie’s National Boxing Championship Victory

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools 

St. Joseph High School (SJHS) is thrilled to announce that Grade 12 student Brody Andrie has been crowned the National Champion in the 57 KG youth division at the prestigious Canada Cup & Junior Youth Canadian Championships. The championships were held at the Genesis Centre in Calgary from March 20 to March 24, 2024.

Brody, a dedicated member of Team Alberta and a fierce competitor from the Shadow Box Boxing Club in Lacombe, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning gold in his division. This victory not only highlights his outstanding skills and dedication to the sport of boxing but also marks him as the first central Alberta boxer to be crowned a national champion in decades.

Reflecting on his victory, Brody shared, “This win is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m proud to bring this championship back to Lacombe and hope to inspire other young athletes in our community.”

SJHS Principal, Gary Gylander, expressed his admiration for Brody’s achievement, stating, “Brody’s success is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and the support of his coaches and community. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this outstanding young athlete.”

This is a historic moment for both Brody and central Alberta, shining a spotlight on the talent and potential within our community.

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Education

Higher spending on K-12 education does not result in better student outcomes

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From the Fraser Institute

By Derek J. Allison

Higher levels of per-student spending do not achieve higher student scores on standardized tests, either internationally or among the provinces, finds a new report published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Just spending more on K-12 education does not lead to better student outcomes,” said Derek J. Allison, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries.

The study compares provincial per-student spending on K-12 education in 2018 (the last year of comparable data) to other high-income countries in the OECD and to performance on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

It finds that higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, in 2018, 10 countries—or one third—of the high income OECD countries included in the analysis spent more per student than Canada but achieved significantly lower PISA scores.

Similarly, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender among the provinces but ranked 8th out of 10 on PISA scores. Manitoba was the second-highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.

“The evidence is clear—simply spending more on established K-12 schools without finding new and better ways to help kids learn will not improve student outcomes,” Allison said.

Provincial per-student spending (2018) compared to core PISA score

Province                                          Spending                  Core PISA score

Saskatchewan                                Highest spender      8th
Manitoba                                         2nd                             Lowest PISA score
Alberta                                             3rd                              Highest PISA score
Nova Scotia                                     4th                              5th
Ontario                                             5th                              3rd
New Brunswick                               6th                             9th
Quebec                                              7th                             2nd
P.E.I.                                                 8th                             7th
Newfoundland and Labrador      9th                             6th
British Columbia                            Lowest spender      4th

Click here to see the full report

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