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Photo: Shaun Penner / EverythingGP staff
Draft K-6 Curriculum

Peace Wapiti Public School Division opts not to pilot draft K-6 curriculum

Apr 29, 2021 | 1:36 PM

The Peace Wapiti Public School Division will not be piloting the new draft Grade K-6 curriculum next school year.

The division joins both the Grande Prairie Public School Division and Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools, who earlier this week voted not to take part in the pilot in 2021-22.

The division says after taking the time to review the draft curriculum and discussions with its Board of Trustees and School Administrators, they felt the timing to pilot a brand new curriculum was not right.

“Our school staff and classroom experts are currently engaged in one of the most challenging years in education in recent history,” said PWPSD Superintendent Bob Stewart. “We believe that mandating the pilot, or offering it as an option, whether whole or in part, is not in the best interest of staff wellness.”

Stewart adds on top of that, they agree with some of the feedback they heard from parents, teachers and other stakeholders in regards to the content of the draft curriculum.

“Overall, our review of the content aligns with similar feedback shared by several other education systems and stakeholders throughout the province, namely that some concepts may not be grade-level appropriate for students.”

The division says administration will be investigating the possibility of forming limited focus groups for any staff who wish to provide expert, evidence-based feedback to the provincial government.

PWPSD also encourages parents and other stakeholders to review the draft K-6 curriculum by subject and grade level, and participate in the Alberta Education feedback survey that will remain open until spring 2022.