Alberta Education is asking residents to submit their thoughts on new draft social studies curriculum.
A public engagement phase will remain open until March 29 for Albertans to read through the new draft K-6 curriculum and provide feedback, the provincial government said this week.
“I encourage all Albertans to share their feedback on key learnings in the draft social studies curriculum, and I look forward to more opportunities for collaboration in the future,” said Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides.
The consultation process began in summer 2023, when the education minister met with various education partners to build an understanding of the updated engagement approach and process for curriculum development going forward, starting with social studies.
In fall 2023, as part of a phased engagement approach, Albertans completed more than 12,800 online surveys to provide input on what they would like students to learn in new draft social studies curriculum. The provincial government says survey results indicated that Albertans believe developing critical thinking skills and understanding of local, Canadian and global events, as well as global and national history should be key elements of new social studies curriculum.
Since then, Alberta Education has met with more than 300 teachers, education partners, Indigenous and francophone communities, and multicultural organizations to inform the scope and sequence of a new draft K-12 social studies curriculum overview and the content of the draft K-6 curriculum.
“Thank you to the many education partners, community organizations and Albertans who have provided input into the development of new draft social studies curriculum,” Nicolaides said.
“Your valuable contributions will help ensure Alberta students learn from a curriculum that builds their critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and empowers them to be involved citizens.”
School authorities will have the opportunity to pilot new draft K-6 social studies curriculum in classrooms in the 2024-25 school year so they can provide additional, detailed feedback.
Alberta Education states it will consider feedback from all engagement activities, research and classroom piloting in order to finalize the new K-6 social studies curriculum prior to implementation.
Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers’ Association president, said teachers provide “invaluable insights and expertise,” and bring the curriculum to life every day in their classrooms.
“The Alberta Teachers’ Association remains open to continued collaboration on all aspects of curriculum design and implementation in all grade and subject areas,” said Schilling.
Marilyn Dennis, Alberta School Boards Association president, said her association appreciates the “government’s commitment” on social studies curriculum.
“ASBA looks forward to meaningful consultation and collaboration with government and our member school boards on any further curriculum development to support student success,” said Dennis.
People interested in providing feedback can visit www.alberta.ca/curriculum-have-your-say.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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