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By rdnewsNOW staff
CALM 10

Alberta field testing new curriculum aimed at strengthening career and financial skills

Sep 23, 2026 | 9:55 AM

The Government of Alberta is field testing a new curriculum this school year to help prepare students for success in their future jobs.

The province is making modern skills required for future careers a top priority as part of the ongoing curriculum renewal.

As a result, they’re releasing draft Grades 7 to 9 science, physical education and wellness 10, and career and life management (CALM 10) curricula for optional classroom field testing this school year.

“The release of these new curricula is an important step for our education system and for our students,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare. “By strengthening career and financial skills education, we are helping students build the practical skills and confidence they need to make informed decisions, plan for their futures and succeed in a changing economy.”

The province says the CALM 10 curriculum will equip students with knowledge and skills to explore career opportunities and manage money.

There will be a strong focus on career planning, entrepreneurship and work-related learning to help students move successfully into rewarding careers they actually want to work in.

Students will also learn financial skills such as saving, responsible spending, budgeting, banking and debt management.

“The Government of Alberta’s continued investment in career planning and financial literacy recognizes that education extends beyond academic achievement,” said Nicole Buchanan, board chair, Red Deer Public Schools. “Equipping students with the knowledge and skills to make responsible financial decisions, explore career pathways and discover their interests empowers them to make meaningful choices about their futures.”

The government added that through the new physical education and wellness 10 curriculum, students will build real-world skills to stay active, develop positive relationships and make healthy choices as they become more independent.

Furthermore, the draft Grades 7 to 9 science curriculum introduces new topics intended to help junior high students strengthen their critical thinking, scientific literacy and evidence-based decision-making skills.

“Updating the CALM 10 curriculum will help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to manage their own finances and successfully enter rewarding career paths that excite them,” said Holly Bilton, board chair, Chinook’s Edge School Division. “Students will develop financial skills in saving, responsible spending, budgeting, banking and debt management. A stronger focus on career planning, entrepreneurship and work-integrated learning will support our goal for all Chinook’s Edge students to graduate with skills that lead to a successful transition to post-secondary and careers.”

Quick facts

  • The draft curricula and dedicated learning and teaching resources aligned with them are available online at New LearnAlberta to support teachers in optional field testing (a feedback stage prior to classroom piloting and implementation).
  • The draft curricula were developed with input from seven education partners, one First Nation education partner, two subject-area specialists, 35 stakeholder organizations and 93 teachers.
  • Since beginning the curriculum renewal process in 2019, Alberta’s government has worked with education partners to fully implement new curriculums in the following:
    • English language arts and literature (K to 6)
    • French first language and literature (K to 6)
    • French immersion language arts and literature (K to 6)
    • mathematics (K to 6)
    • physical education and wellness (K to 6)
    • science (K to 6)
    • social studies (K to 6)
  • Additional curriculum currently in development includes grades 7 to 9 mathematics, career education and financial literacy, social studies, and physical education and wellness. Ninety-eight school boards are piloting these curricula this school year, with mandatory implementation slated for September 2027.
by rdnewsNOW staff