Thread by @Tommy_Slick

The Alberta Teachers' Association is calling for a moratorium on the province's draft K-6 curriculum. ATA President Jason Schilling will be speaking more about this soon, and will have details in this thread. #yyc #yeg #ableg

Schilling starts us off. Just beginning with a summary of the press release above. He says there has been a lot of discussion on the curriculum lately, with an "overwhelming message that this curriculum is not fit for students."

He says it is poorly structured, full of random facts, and isn't appropriate for some age groups. Also there is a distinct lack of enough Indigenous education. He says it will cause kids to get frustrated with learning, and cause more issues down the road.

Schilling also says he supports school boards that have decided to not pilot the curriculum, more than 20 have made that choice so far. And for teachers who think it is flawed have the moral right to refuse to participate in any voluntary piloting.

He says we got to this point because teachers were left out of the curriculum development process. It's clear this draft was not written by teachers.

Schilling says the government is being told "loud and clear" that this draft is not appropriate, and it is up to them to do the right thing and listen.

I ask if so many school boards opt out of the pilot, will this limit the influence they can have on it?

Schilling says the fact so many are opting out should send the message that this isn't right, and the government should realize that.

Followup, how was this development different from the previous NDP process?

Schilling says there was much less input from teachers in this current process. Also, in the NDP process they only looked at K-4. What the UCP released was far different from what they saw back then.

.@DeanBennettCP says this is a bit outside of normal actions, asks why they are taking such drastic action.

Schilling says polling shows how unfavourable this draft is, so they feel obligated to get that message across. Teachers are concerned here.

Schilling says they cannot sit back and be silent while this goes ahead.

Followup, surely we'll hear that teachers were a part of the process (about 300) and only a small amount of teachers were in that poll, how do you respond to that.

Schilling says only 100 teachers were involved in the draft process last year, far fewer than usual.

Further, 100 met in December for only two days and they signed an NDA, so we don't really know exactly what was discussed. But the ATA polling is much more representative of their teaching population.

.@Jantafrench asking about the advertising campaign as a part of this.

Schilling says this message is for all Albertans, and they do want to make it clear they want to work with the government. There will be newspaper ads and a website giving information.

The cost of the campaign has not been determined yet, still getting some quotes on that.

Followup, about the Francophone perspective. How do you get more feedback on that if all Francophone boards do not participate in the pilot?

Schilling says again, like with my question, that this should send a message to the government and go back to the drawing board.

.@TimmCTV any thought among the ATA to have some members pilot this in order to give more feedback?

Schilling says teachers are putting their students first, so they want to avoid causing damage. They've got the moral right to refuse doing it.

Followup, how effective do you think this campaign will be?

Schilling says that's a good question for the government. It's clear they've heard a lot of negative feedback, at some point they must get the message. Adding the ATA into the equation will show solidarity.

.@audreyneva on Francophone schools as well, do you encourage them to write their own curriculum in French?

Schilling says the process was being done in French and English, and they didn't get a lot of info from officials. Encourages government to work directly w/ Francophones

Followup, any legal recourse to have more influence in stopping the pilot?

Schilling says this is a government decision at the end of the day, it's their plan but plans can change. Need some more engagement on this.

.@TaylorBraat_ asks about the online schooling announcement from yesterday, do you have more info on the school boards' request and satisfaction on the move?

Schilling says they are ultimately focused on safety here, concerning situation right now and all steps must be taken.

More from @Jantafrench, how far are you willing to take this, job action or anything like that?

Schilling says that's usually tied to contract negotiations, but the school boards can respect teachers who refuse to pilot it.

But what happens in 2022 if they decide to push forward with it?

He hopes that we don't get to a point where there's more outright protest on this, but again the government should listen to the disapproval coming through here.

.@DeanBennettCP with another one, similar to Janet, if teachers are directed to teach this, what will you do if teachers are directed to pilot this even though the teachers don't want to.

Schilling says it would be unfortunate for a board to do this, could strain relations.

Is there something in the back pocket to have a teacher opt out of the pilot? Go to court on this?

Just need to figure out how to work through this, really sounds like uncharted territory here.

I also piggyback on this, still trying to figure out how to move ahead with this if there is mass rejection.

There could be potential disciplinary action from the government, and then there would be more labour-related action that could be possible. But we're still a ways away.

I followup, any concern about the government trying to strongarm you here?

Schilling says he is not concerned about that, they are taking direction from members and they have to reflect that opinion.

That's all for today, thanks again for following along. Have a lovely day.