How we got here

Alberta Education designed and developed new K-6 curriculum by considering:

• the Ministerial Order on Student Learning
• the Guiding Framework for Curriculum Design and Development
• research and best practices from other jurisdictions
• feedback from engagements

The provincial curriculum is developed in English and French. The K-6 curriculum renewal started with drafting 8 subject areas:

• English language arts and literature
• Fine arts
• French first language and literature
• French immersion language arts and literature
• Mathematics
• Physical education and wellness
• Science
• Social studies

The draft K-6 curriculum emphasizes:

• the essential knowledge, civic virtues and outcomes students need to succeed in school and throughout life
• literacy and numeracy as building blocks of learning, critical thinking and problem solving
• evidence and fact-based materials
• the rich and diverse history of Alberta and Canada, including Indigenous and Francophone contributions, cultures and perspectives
• age-appropriate content related to Treaties, agreements, residential schools and their legacy

As K-6 curriculum was drafted, 19 individuals provided additional advice based on their subject matter expertise and lived experience in areas such as:

• English literacy and literature
• financial literacy
• fine arts
• French language literacy and literature
• Indigenous perspectives
• mathematics
• oral communication
• science
• social studies
• wellness education

These individuals did not write curriculum. Their role was to provide advice and recommendations during the drafting step. Participation in this step did not indicate endorsement of the curriculum. The advisors could claim an honorarium of up to $400 per day for their work, which was paid based on invoices submitted. Learn more about the Advisors on Draft Curriculum (PDF, 100 KB).

Curriculum working group members review draft curriculum through the lens of their discipline and subject knowledge, as well as their classroom perspective. For draft K to 12 curriculum renewal, membership has been refined to focus on engaging with certificated teachers based on grade grouping and subject expertise.

A representative sample of approximately 300 teachers from all types of school authorities across the province will be involved in K to 12 curriculum renewal, including:

• Public
• Separate
• Francophone
• Charter
• Independent
• First Nations

The governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories were also invited to nominate representatives for the K to 6 and grades 7 to 10 groups as they use the Alberta curriculum.

In December 2020, the K-6 curriculum working group met virtually to discuss the draft curriculum. Their role was to provide advice and recommendations during the drafting step. Participation in this step did not indicate endorsement of the draft K-6 curriculum. The working group’s targeted and specific feedback helped to inform and refine the draft before it was released to education partners.

The K-6 curriculum working group included approximately 100 teachers from across the province. Download the member list:

• Curriculum Working Group Members – Kindergarten to Grade 6 (PDF, 107 KB)

Faculty of Education deans and professors from Alberta’s post-secondary institutions reviewed the draft K-6 curriculum. Their role was to provide advice and recommendations during the drafting step. Participation in this step did not indicate endorsement of the curriculum.

There were approximately 30 deans and professors who were invited to provide input. Download the list:

• Connecting with Education Partners – Deans and Professors (PDF, 63 KB)

The draft K to 6 curriculum was publicly released on March 29, 2021. All Albertans are invited to review the draft K-6 curriculum, attend virtual sessions, and take a survey to provide feedback until February 2022.

Find out how to have your say.

In June 2021, Alberta Education began having conversations with education partners to share information and discuss the draft K to 6 curriculum. These partners include, but are not limited to:

• Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association
• Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta
• Alberta School Boards Association
• Alberta School Councils’ Association
• Alberta Teachers’ Association
• College of Alberta School Superintendents
• Council of Catholic Superintendents of Alberta
• Fédération des conseils scolaires francophones de l’Alberta
• Fédération des parents francophones de l’Alberta
• Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta
• The Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools

Curriculum Engagement Grants

Alberta Education has provided approximately $1 million in grants to support partner groups in conducting a consistent and coordinated engagement process with their communities so their unique perspectives can be heard and reported back to Alberta Education by January 2022.

Grants have been provided to 10 organizations:

• Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association
• Alberta School Boards Association
• Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools
• Association of Independent Schools and Colleges of Alberta
• Blackfoot Confederacy
• Council of Catholic School Superintendents
• College of Alberta School Superintendents
• Fédération des conseils scolaires francophones de l’Alberta
• Metis Settlements General Council
• Stoney Nakoda – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council

In April 2021, school authorities were invited to pilot the draft K-6 curriculum in classrooms, if they chose. They had the flexibility to choose to work with one or more, or all subjects.

In June 2021, Alberta Education delivered an orientation session to begin preparing participating teachers and administrators for the piloting process. These teachers also took part in one of the 3-day Summer Learning Institutes Alberta Education offered in June, July and August. During these sessions, Alberta Education answered questions and helped teachers understand how to work with the draft K-6 curriculum in the classroom.

As of September 2021, 360 teachers began piloting draft K-6 content in elementary classrooms with approximately 7,800 students. These teachers will help determine how the draft curriculum transfers to the classroom by considering 6 areas:

• strengths and opportunities in content
• learning scope
• age appropriateness
• learning sequencing
• perspectives on the content load
• supports school authorities will need to prepare for provincial implementation

During the pilot, Alberta Education will support teachers with information and tools to work with the draft in their classrooms. In 2020-21, there was $6 million set aside as follows:

• $4 million for access to learning and teaching resources aligned with the draft curriculum to support instruction
• $2 million for professional learning supports and substitute teacher costs while piloting teachers are learning; this funding includes $1,500 for each piloting teacher to buy instructional materials and classroom supplies to enhance the student learning experience

In addition, Alberta Education will offer sessions each month to meet piloting teachers’ needs and address any questions. Teachers will also share feedback on the draft curriculum and their classroom experience at these sessions.

Throughout the pilot, school authorities and teachers will provide valuable insights that will help to refine the draft K-6 curriculum.