Part of the Curriculum Analysis report by the ATA focused on the four key themes: literacy, numeracy, citizenship and practical skills as they were a focus of the draft K-6 curriculum.

Key findings of the report can be found here: teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollection… Some concerns teachers found around literacy are:
The definition of literacy is narrow and out of date with current research, teachers need a variety of instructional strategies to teach reading for all students.

Check out further expert analysis:
alberta-curriculum-analysis.ca

The ATA published its Professional Curriculum Analysis and Critique of Alberta Education’s 2021 draft k-6 curriculum. The research showcases the voices of teachers who were left out of the process. /1

You can find it here:
teachers.ab.ca/News%20Room/Is… As I see more rhetoric from government, I thought it would to remind ourselves that the draft curriculum does not meet Alberta Education's own overall vision, guidelines and considerations for curriculum development. /2

In August 2019, in my second month as president, the Memorandum of Understanding that made the ATA and teachers a full partner in curriculum redesign was tore up by the Minister, ending years of collaboration on creating, field testing, and implementing new curriculum. /1 Ever since then, I have discussed with Minister the importance of having teachers involved in creating curriculum as they are experts in the age and grade appropriateness of content and design. These discussions happen through informal meetings and formal communications./2

In the last week I've seen our Premier call teachers and students 'hysterical' over COVID fears, praise them for their work in the pandemic, then today throw them under the bus over curriculum. All while teachers are wrapping up a stressful fall of teaching during a pandemic. /1 What I hear from parents and teachers are their worries over the return to in person learning in January, and the fact the government has failed to address the many concerns they have--over class size, social distancing, contact tracing, etc. /2

I am hearing daily from principals and teachers across the province saying they need time. Time together as a staff to discuss and implement COVID protocols. School Districts and Superintendents must now allow and demonstrate for that time. /1

https://twitter.com/AdrianaLaGrange/status/1296902556162039808

Teachers want to be back at school. They want it to be done safely with a full understanding of the just released guidelines and how that impacts their classrooms. School Boards and Superintendents need to listen to parents, staff, bus drivers, EA's, and custodians, etc. /2

Today I sat in on the teleconference from Alberta Education with Dr Hinshaw. First off, I am grateful for the expertise of our health care professionals at this time. I have a major concern, echoed by many of colleagues, regarding the guidelines that were released yesterday. /1 How will government and school boards ensure that the supplies and custodial staff needed to implement these measures be in place? School boards must guarantee the safety of all people in schools, it's in the Education Act. Will government release more funds to cover this? /2