Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Province announces K-6 curriculum advisory group members

Jan 20, 2022 | 11:33 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – After scrutiny over the proposed K-6 curriculum, the Alberta Government is creating a new task force to help implement new educational programs.

Members have been announced for the Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group:

• Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA)
• Representative, Alberta School Boards Association
• Wilco Tymensen, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
• Bevan Daverne, past-president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
• David Keohane, executive director, College of Alberta School Superintendents
• Michael McMann, superintendent, Fort Vermilion School Division
• Robert Lessard, superintendent, Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord
• Teacher representative, piloting elementary school
• Teacher representative, piloting elementary school
• Teacher representative, elementary school
• Principal representative, Calgary Board of Education
• Curriculum expert, Edmonton Public Schools
• Andre Tremblay, deputy minister, Alberta Education (chair)
• Jennifer Flaman, assistant deputy minister, Curriculum Division
• Executive director, Early and Middle Years Curriculum
• Executive director, Curriculum Coordination and Implementation
• Executive director, Learning and Teaching Resources

“Alberta’s government has been listening to all input from Albertans about the draft K-6 curriculum review process,” says Education Minister Adriana LaGrange. “We are committed to taking a measured and thoughtful approach to ensure curriculum piloting and implementation timelines are manageable for teachers and students.

“With the expertise of the Curriculum Implementation Advisory Group, Alberta’s government will carefully consider how to address the implementation timelines and support the education system throughout the process.”

They will help to determine how the new curriculums for English Language Arts and Literature, Mathematics, and Physical Education and Wellness will be implemented in fall 2022.

This includes identifying supports that may be needed and options for providing those supports to schools.

ASBA President Marilyn Dennis says the group will also provide advice on the continuation of piloting the remaining K-6 subjects.

“ASBA appreciates participating in this advisory group to provide feedback from member school boards as the voice of their diverse communities. We look forward to a collaborative process working alongside advisory group members in the best interest of all students across the province.”

The draft K-6 curriculum was heavily criticized when it was first presented as it included math subjects that were too advanced for certain grade levels, and social studies content that Indigenous leaders say contained “errors, examples of plagiarism, and content that is not age-appropriate nor reflective of Alberta’s diversity,” among other areas of concern.

Even the updated draft curriculum in December 2021 received mixed reviews from the Lethbridge School Division.

READ MORE: K-6 curriculum update scores mixed grade from Lethbridge School Division

This spring, both the Lethbridge School Division and Holy Spirit Catholic School Division opted out of piloting the draft curriculum, citing significant concerns with its contents.

READ MORE: Lethbridge School Division will not participate in draft K-6 curriculum in 2021/ 2022

READ MORE: Holy Spirit also opting out of draft K-6 curriculum pilot

Thursday’s media release from the Alberta Government did not mention if the new Advisory Group would be holding any additional curriculum consultations.