Overview
Students in the province may choose to self-identify on school registration forms for public, separate, francophone, charter and accredited funded independent school authorities. The data collected is confidential and helps to:
- determine the numbers of K-12 First Nations, Métis and Inuit students in Alberta
- support education policy and funding decisions
- measure program effectiveness
- identify promising practices supporting First Nation, Métis and Inuit student success
- inform school authority and provincial reporting on First Nations, Métis and Inuit education outcomes in provincial schools
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Self-Identification supports First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success and the goals of the ministry’s Business Plan.
Fact sheets
- Student Self-Identification Information for Parents and Guardians (English)
- Student Self-Identification Information for School Authorities (English)
- Student Self-Identification Information for Parents and Guardians (French)
- Student Self-Identification Information for School Authorities (French)
How this information is used
This information is used to improve accountability for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education and to inform efforts to close the achievement gap between First Nations, Métis and Inuit and all Alberta students. This helps Alberta Education and Childcare and school authorities understand:
- what programs are working
- where additional programs, resources and supports are required
- what changes may be needed to improve the education system to benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit students
Alberta Education and Childcare and school authorities use the information according to Section 4 (c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) to plan for program improvements, to make policy and funding decisions and to measure and report First Nations, Métis and Inuit student achievement. Student achievement measures include high school completion rates, dropout rates, transition rates from high school to post-secondary education, and results on provincial achievement tests and diploma exams.
Achievement results of self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are reported in a respectful way that protects the anonymity of individual students. Provincial First Nations, Métis and Inuit achievement results are included in Alberta Education and Childcare’s Annual Report.
Funding
Funding is provided to school authorities based on the number of self-identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students registered. Schools then decide how to best use the funds for First Nations, Métis and Inuit education based on the programming needs within their authority.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit education funding is intended to support Truth and Reconciliation activities, address student needs through programs and instructional supports, and to improve education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
Measuring student outcomes and success
Alberta Education and Childcare Assurance Measure results are available in a single provincial report, with a separate summary of results for self identified First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.
Reporting on these provincial results supports transparency and demonstrates progress toward provincial and local expectations, as Alberta Education and Childcare uses the Assurance Measures to assess performance across school authorities.