Bill 202 - Improving Education For Alberta Children
The Alberta NDP is dedicated to ensuring that every child receives high-quality, inclusive education in a safe and supportive school environment.
That’s why we were pleased to introduce Bill 202, the Education (Class Composition Reporting and Standard) Amendment Act.
This bill, if passed, will mark a major step towards providing equitable access to quality education for all students.
In November 2019, the UCP government ended the practice of tracking and publicly reporting class sizes. Their actions have reduced transparency and accountability about large class sizes, lack of support, and insufficient resources.
Despite the UCP's reluctance to share vital information with Albertans, it's clear that four-in-ten Alberta teachers are grappling with class sizes exceeding 30 students. An astonishing 85 per cent of teachers report a notable surge in the complexity and diversity of student needs. Furthermore, a concerning 56 per cent of teachers observe a decline in support for students with special needs, with over half estimating extended timelines for crucial assessments.
This Bill will change that and ensure we can deliver the quality education programming that every student in this province deserves.
It would do this by mandating educational boards to report vital class composition details directly to the Minister, from student numbers to specialized support requirements. This isn't just about numbers; it's about bringing transparency to the forefront and giving Alberta parents and students an unfiltered look into the state of education in our classrooms.
In addition, it will ensure we are always looking to quality learning as we move forward, by requiring the establishment of a Commission on Learning Excellence to provide recommendations on class composition, size, and funding formulas. From those recommendations, the Minister will be required to establish class size and composition standards.
The last time Alberta had a serious look at all of the aspects of learning was 20 years ago. Clearly, we need more regular recommendations for a commission of experts as classroom complexity evolves and we learn more about how best to educate children.
Alberta students are our future leaders — and we must set them up for success. A vote in favour of the Education (Class Composition Reporting and Standard) Amendment Act, is a vote for their future, their success, and the future of Alberta.