Albertans invited to shape the future of education
Conversation opportunities announced for Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans
Edmonton…Albertans are invited to take part in a series of conversations about the future of education in Alberta. Joined by a group of Grade 6 students at Grandin School in Edmonton, Education Minister Dave Hancock announced 10 community conversations with Albertans in eight different locations across the province in April, May and June.
“The Inspiring Education dialogue is about our hopes, dreams and aspirations for the children of Alberta, and the future of our province,” said Minister Hancock. “It will examine how education in Alberta can help tomorrow’s students find their passions and prepare for success in the future.”
Using an innovative generative dialogue approach, Inspiring Education will engage Albertans in extensive discussions about education as a foundation for the future societal and economic success of the province. The perspectives and ideas gathered through this process will be used to develop a policy framework which describes the overall direction, principles and long-term goals for education in Alberta over the next two decades.
“As co-chair of the Inspiring Education steering committee, I want to foster wide-ranging conversations amongst a broad cross-section of Albertans about their needs and expectations for education,” said Athabasca-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson.
In addition to the 10 community conversations, a conversation kit will be available in mid-April for schools, neighbourhoods, businesses, and organizations to offer their thoughts and insights. Albertans are also invited to participate in online moderated discussions of a range of perspectives and ideas on the Inspiring Education website. The process will culminate in a two-day provincial conversation, to be held October 18 - 20 in Edmonton.
Edmonton teacher and steering committee co-chair Brent McDonough added, “The education we offer our students is the responsibility of all of us. We want many voices and many points of view to shape the future of education through this dialogue.”
A steering committee, representing a range of perspectives, was appointed by Hancock in November to help design and lead the process. In addition to co-chairs Johnson and McDonough, the committee is comprised of three additional MLAs and 16 individuals from across the province who guide the project and serve as ambassadors.
For more information, visit inspiringeducation.alberta.ca or call 780-427-7219, (toll free by first dialing 310-0000 in Alberta).
Backgrounder
Inspiring Education participation opportunities
Albertans have a variety of ways to participate in Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans. To allow participants to provide perspectives and expertise on a wide range of themes, community dialogues will take various forms:
- Community conversations
- Conversation kits (mid-April)
- Online moderated conversations (mid-April)
- Provincial conversation (Edmonton October 18 to 20)
Community Conversation Sessions
April 29 Edmonton
May 6 Grande Prairie
May 13 Ft. McMurray
May 20 Lethbridge
May 23 Calgary
May 27 Medicine Hat
June 3 Bonnyville
June 10 Red Deer
June 17 Calgary
June 20 Edmonton
To volunteer to participate in a community conversation, visit inspiringeducation.alberta.ca or call 780-427-7219, (toll free by first dialing 310-0000 in Alberta). Participation in events will be through invitation, volunteer signup and random selection from the general population. Participants will be asked to bring their perspectives, life experiences and thoughts on the future into the dialogue.
The online dialogue and community conversation kits will be available in mid-April through the project website at inspiringeducation.alberta.ca.
