Partners in Education
Everyone – from parents to students, the community, business, government, teachers and administrators — has an important and co-operative role to play in public education. The Government of Alberta encourages a broad range of community consultation and involvement with the school system to enhance learning opportunities for children and to meet their education needs.
| Quick Facts: Alberta Education | |||
| -- | 1967 | 1997 | 2007 |
| Students
Teachers Schools School boards Education Spending |
385,972*
19,579 1,388 229 $219 million |
547,940**
26,258 2,015 62 $3,129 billion |
566,070***
36,823 2,105**** 331 $5.8 billion |
|
*** Number of Funded Students in ECS to Grade 12 in Public or Private School Authorities for the 2006/2007 school year ****Alberta Education School is defined as a school governed by a Public, Separate, Francophone, Charter, ECS Private Operator or Private School authority; with at least one student registration; and affiliated with the Alberta education system. (Counts do not include Lloydminster Public School Division or Lloydminster Roman Catholic Separate School Division.) |
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Students
- Assume responsibilities and make choices about their learning and career paths, according to their level of maturity.
- Complete their homework and study assignments diligently.
- Follow the code of conduct of their school and the School Act.
- Contribute to a safe and caring climate in their school.
- Contribute to the accomplishments of their school.
Teachers
- Provide students with the instruction they need to achieve learning expectations for each grade and subject as outlined in the Alberta Programs of Study.
- Foster and encourage learning.
- Stay up-to-date on curriculum and teaching methods.
- Evaluate students and periodically report the results to students, parents and the board.
- Maintain discipline among students at school and during school-approved activities.
- Contribute to school decision making.
- May be involved in school extra-curricular activities, and with committees for curriculum, student evaluation, field testing and evaluating new courses, instructional materials and assessment materials.
Note: See section on Quality Teaching.
Principals
- Provide instructional leadership, and administer the school within the policies of the school board and with the advice of the school council.
- Maintain order and discipline in the school, on the school grounds and during board-sponsored or approved activities.
- Promote co-operation between the school and the community it serves.
- Supervise the evaluation and advancement of students.
- Evaluate teachers employed in the school.
- Ensure teaching assignments are the best possible match with teacher skills.
Parents
- Foster a positive attitude towards learning in their children.
- Encourage their children to achieve their potential at school and to be actively involved in their school.
- Make decisions regarding their children’s education, including choice of schools and programs.
- Make sure their children come to school ready to learn.
- Familiarize themselves with learning expectations for the different subjects in their children’s grade level, and with school policies and regulations.
- Maintain an ongoing communication with teachers and the school.
- Check their children’s school work to make sure assignments are completed properly, and help them develop good study habits.
- Initiate learning activities at home.
- May volunteer time to their children’s school(s); participate in field trips and other extracurricular activities, act as a classroom resource or serve on the school council.
| School-based Decision Making
The Government of Alberta promotes school-based decision making to ensure local needs and priorities are met. Since 1994, schools have been given considerable flexibility on decision making. Schools may advise their local board or make their own policy and budget decisions. This varies from board to board. |
School Councils
- Allow parents and the community to actively participate in their local school.
- Consist of the principal, at least one teacher, student(s) (high school only), and parents of students enrolled in the school. Parents must form the majority of members.
- Advise the principal and the board respecting any matter relating to the school.
- Provide advice on the development of school's mission, vision and philosophy; policies; annual education plan; and fiscal management.
- Must be provided with the school's provincial testing program results and other provincial measures and a reasonable interpretation of those results and measures.
- May make bylaws respecting the conduct of its business and affairs.
Section 22 of the School Act requires that a school council be established in accordance with the School Councils Regulation for each school operated by a board. Alberta School Councils' Association provides assistance in establishing school councils.
Community/Business
- Work with schools to create a rich learning environment, responsive to community needs.
- Contribute volunteer time and resources to school programs, extra-curricular activities and fundraising initiatives.
- Serve on school councils.
- Create true partnerships in the development of specific programs, such as work experience and study programs.
| Appeals
If parents have concerns about a problem their child may be having at school or a decision made regarding their child’s education, they should contact the teacher first and the principal second. If an agreement can not be reached at the school level, parents may appeal to their superintendent and then their school board. Every board has an appeal policy. As a last resort, parents may ask the Minister of Education to review certain board decisions such as special education student placement or an expulsion. However, not all board decisions are open to review. |
School Boards
- Are made up of trustees elected during municipal elections for three-year terms. Trustees are collectively responsible for policy decisions made by the school board.
- Ensure resident students are provided with an education program consistent with the School Act and provincial regulations.
- Implement the Alberta Programs of Study set by the Minister of Education.
- Provide optional programs in response to community and student
interests and needs. - Allocate school budgets fairly and equitably within provincial government guidelines.
- Arrange transportation for students according to provincial regulations.
- Set district policies consistent with provincial policies in areas such as the school year.
- Are accountable to local electorate / are locally elected.
- Act as an appeals body.
Superintendents
- Serve as the chief executive officer and chief education officer of the board and of the school jurisdiction.
- Provide leadership in all matters relating to education in the district or division.
- Implement education policies established by the Minister of Education.
- Ensure responsible fiscal management in keeping with legislation
and regulations. - Execute school board decisions.
- Hired by local boards, subject to the Minister of Education’s approval, for a term of up to five years, which can be renewed.
Alberta Education
- Carries out the provincial government’s constitutional responsibility for education under the direction of the Minister of Education.
- Establishes legislation, policies and long-range plans for education programs.
- Sets curriculum and provincial standards for student achievement and teacher certification.
- Ensures school jurisdictions get an equitable share of the education budget.
- Assesses and reports to the government and public on student achievement, costs and other important matters related to education.
- Evaluates results achieved by schools and school boards across Alberta.
- Helps schools and school boards fulfil their obligations, including provincial policies and expectations.
