Education in Alberta - 2009

1. Education in Alberta - 2009 International Education Branch

2. Orientation for Incoming Teachers • What I heard this morning that puzzled me…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. • This challenges of cross cultural communication are……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Canada Snapshot • 35 million people • 2 official languages: English and French • 10 provinces and 3 territories • 13 different education systems

4. Well Being • Rankings according to the UN Human Development Report for 2008: • 1. Iceland • 2. Norway • 3. Canada • 4. Australia • ……………….. • 179. Sierra Leone • *based on GDP, education, health, life expectancy, infant mortality and so on. • (http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics)

5. Globally • 20% of the world’s population uses 86% of the world’s resources • If all 6 billion world inhabitants lived like a typical Albertan, we would require 5 planets with resources similar to Earth • Globally we are struggling with “sustainable development” – the ability of the present generation to meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

6. Education in Canada • In Canada, the responsibility for education lies with the provinces and territories. • There is no federal Department of Education. • However, there is the Council of Ministers of Education.

7. Alberta Snapshot • 3.4 million people (vs 50,000,000+ in England) • 255,541 square miles (vs 50,352 square miles in England) • Alberta is 104 years old England is ? • Lowest overall personal taxes in Canada • Net debt of zero • Low unemployment rate

8. Alberta’s Education System • 596,000 students • 43,000 certificated teaching personnel • 62 jurisdictions • Over 2,000 schools • Well funded and well respected globally

9. National and International Results NB Alberta results significantly higher than overall national or international results = Alberta results not significantly different than overall national or international results

10. Principles of education in Alberta • Access to quality education • Equity • Flexibility and choice • Responsiveness • Accountability

11. Structure of education in Alberta • School Board (public, separate, private, charter, federal reserve) • Trustees • Superintendent • School Based Budgeting • School Community Administrators Teachers Students Parents, School Council, Community

12. Alberta Education • Curriculum – www.education.alberta.ca • Funding • Accountability • Assessment – all students write provincial achievement exams in core subjects in grades 3, 6, 9 and 12. In grade 12, the Diploma Exams are worth 50% of the students’ final mark.

13. Social Studies • “the study of people in relation to each other and to their world” • … to develop the key values, attitudes, knowledge, understanding, skills and processes necessary for students to become active and responsible citizens, engaged in the democratic process and aware of the their capacity to effect change in their communities, societies and world. • Grade 3 – Global Citizenship • Grade 10 – Perspectives on Globalization; Living in a Globalizing World

14. Program ECS (Kindergarten) – 5 year olds Division 1 – Grades 1 - 3; 6 – 8 year olds Division 2 – Grades 4 - 6; 9 – 11 year olds Division 3 – Grades 7 - 9; 12 – 14 year olds Division 4 – Grades 10 – 12; 15 – 17 year olds Elementary Junior High High School

15. Role of the Principal • To provide educational leadership and administer the school in consultation with central office staff, teachers, parents, the school council and the community.

16. Role of Teachers • To enable students to achieve the learning expectations outlined in the provincial Program of Studies by providing instruction and fostering learning.

17. CHOICES IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM • Public Schools – provide basic universal education • Separate Schools – can be either Roman Catholic or Protestant and are also public schools, funded in the same way. • Francophone Schools – Under the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, parents whose 1st language is French have the constitutional right to have their child education in French.

18. MORE CHOICES… • Charter Schools – Established to encourage innovative approaches by offering specialized programming. • Alternative Programs – Programs that may emphasize a particular language, culture, religion or subject matter or use a particular teaching philosophy. • Home Education – Parents may choose to educate their children at home, provided they meet the requirements of the School Act and the Home Education Regulation.

19. Stakeholders in education • Alberta Education – www.education.alberta.ca. The exchange program is an Alberta Education program. • School Boards • Public, separate, private, charter, federal reserve • Schools • Communities • The Alberta Teachers’ Association – www.teachers.ab.ca

20. More Stakeholders… • Alberta School Boards Association • Alberta Home and School Association • University Faculties of Education • Professional Development Consortia • Alberta Initiatives for School Improvement (AISI)

21. Current Issues in Education • Class Size • Achievement and Retention • Aboriginal Education • Integration – Mainstreaming • Assessment

22. Where Can I Get Information? • Alberta Education Website www.education.alberta.ca – all curriculum -Speak Out -AISI Alberta Learning Information Service www.alis.gov.ab.ca Your school board website www.ecsd.net www.spschools.org

23. Please feel free to ask questions! • And please share your experience and expertise with us!