Knowledge and Employability (K&E) courses are designed for students in grades 8 to 12 who demonstrate reading, writing, mathematical and/or other levels of achievement 2 to 3 grade levels below their age-appropriate grade. School authorities may offer K&E courses to provide students with opportunities to experience success and become well prepared for employment, further studies, citizenship and lifelong learning.
Students may enrol in K&E courses and other junior–senior high school courses or transition in and out of K&E courses throughout grades 8 to 12.
Further information about K&E programming may be found in the Knowledge and Employability Courses Handbook, Grades 8–12.
Junior high Knowledge and Employability courses
Junior high K&E courses for Grades 8 and 9 include 4 academic courses and 9 occupational areas.
K&E academic courses comprise:
- K&E English Language Arts
- K&E Mathematics
- K&E Science
- K&E Social Studies
K&E achievement tests for Grade 9 students reflect the Grade 9 outcomes in the academic courses noted above. All of the K&E achievement tests are administered according to the same schedule as other Grade 9 achievement tests. Grade 9 students who are receiving instruction from a K&E program of studies are expected to write the achievement test for that K&E course. Get more information on Knowledge and Employability achievement tests.
The junior high K&E occupational courses consist of the following nine occupational areas:
- Art/Design and Communication
- Auto Mechanics
- Business Services
- Construction
- Fabrics
- Foods
- Horticulture
- Human Care
- Workplace Readiness
The K&E occupational courses for junior high school are separated into various units of instruction. The units in each course can be combined in any order to make up the junior high occupational program based on student interest and available facilities and equipment.
Senior high Knowledge and Employability courses
Students choosing senior high K&E courses typically wish to enhance their academic and occupational competencies and transition into employment and/or continuing education and training opportunities. All K&E courses are designated 5‑credit courses and are identified with the -4 suffix.
Students taking K&E courses may qualify for a Certificate of High School Achievement or they may continue their studies to qualify for an Alberta High School Diploma. To qualify for a Certificate of High School Achievement, students must successfully complete a minimum of one academic K&E course or be identified as a K&E student (710 code) within the 12 months previous to the awarding of the certificate.
Senior high K&E academic courses comprise:
- K&E English Language Arts 10-4, 20-4, 30-4
- K&E Français 10-4, 20-4, 30-4 (for the francophone program)
- K&E Mathematics 10-4, 20-4
- K&E Science 10-4, 20-4
- K&E Social Studies 10-4, 20-4
The senior high K&E occupational courses are available in the following 11 occupational areas:
- Art/Design and Communication
- Auto Mechanics
- Business Services
- Construction: Building
- Construction: Metal Fabrication
- Cosmetology
- Fabrics
- Foods
- Horticulture
- Human Care
- Natural Resources
The senior high K&E practicum courses are available in the following areas:
- Workplace Readiness
- Workplace Practicum
Workplace Readiness 10-4 may be used by students enrolled in K&E courses in lieu of HCS3000 (Workplace Safety Systems) as the prerequisite for the first off-campus education learning experience, with the exception of the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Any student engaging in RAP must take HCS3000 as the required prerequisite.
All courses are offered for 5 credits. However, courses may be combined to allow for further instruction or off campus education learning experiences, such as workplace safety courses. Marks and credits must be reported separately for each course that has been combined. For more information, contact the English Language Arts and Literature, Fine Arts and Social Studies Branch; the Mathematics and Sciences Branch; the Career Education Branch; or the French Education Branch. For contact information, see Appendix 1. Information is also provided in the Knowledge and Employability Courses Handbook, Grades 8–12.