COVID-19: State of public health emergency. Mandatory measures remain in effect provincewide.
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Minister Adriana LaGrange
From the Minister
K to 12 students resume in-person learning on January 11.
Safety and success of students comes first.
Working on a path forward to make this part of your child’s life as normal as possible.
Accomplishments
We are delivering a more efficient and sustainable funding model for K to 12 education, beginning in the 2020-21 school year.
The Education Act, provides a strong foundation that will serve as a blueprint for the education system for years to come.
The Choice in Education Act affirms that parents have the right to choose the kind of education they feel will be best for their children.
Created a new vision that will transform student learning, update curriculum and strengthen the K to 12 education system.
Investing in schools: total Capital Plan investment is now $1.5 billion over the next three years to support new schools and modernization projects underway across the province.
Key information
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Learning in a pandemic environment
- Keep up-to-date with the latest information on Alberta’s return to school. Our re-entry plan aligns with Alberta’s relaunch strategy and was developed with the advice of public health officials. We are committed to refining our re-entry guidelines as the pandemic evolves to ensure they reflect current medical evidence and to continue working with our education partners.
- The school re-entry plan allows schools and parents to adjust to learning over the new school year, while putting student and staff safety first. All school authorities must be prepared to transition among scenarios if the need arises during the year.
- Albertans continue to have a role in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Continue to follow the public health advice. It will keep you safe as you go out and protect your family, friends, and neighbours. The 2020-21 Parent Guide (available in 10 languages) contains steps parents and students should follow to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in schools.
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Ensuring students are successful
- Our vision for learning means students gain the knowledge and skills to form the foundations for successful and fulfilling lives, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world. Today’s students are the future drivers of Alberta’s economy. Our government is making sure students have every opportunity to pursue their career and personal interests and succeed in Alberta’s dynamic job market.
- We are updating Alberta’s curriculum to emphasize the values, learning foundations and outcomes students need for rich personal and working lives, which is a key commitment we’ve made to parents and students. We anticipate that all K to 6 students attending school in Alberta will be learning from the new K to 6 curriculum by the 2022-23 school year.
- We are supporting reconciliation by including First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences throughout Alberta’s curriculum. Alberta’s commitment to First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and experiences in curriculum was reaffirmed on March 27, 2014, at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission event in Edmonton.
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Building excellence in the education system
- For our students to receive a modern education that gives them the tools to be successful, our education system must also be updated so it functions at the highest level possible and supports the wide variety of choice Albertans expect. This includes the laws and regulations that govern the system and how the province funds K to 12 education.
- As our government works to strengthen and diversify our economy, we need to recognize how education must evolve in order to meet those needs. We must direct as many dollars as possible to the classroom where they have the greatest benefit to students. A system that excels must also have teachers teaching in subjects that they are knowledgeable – and passionate – about.
In focus
Parents and students can learn how to attend school safely and what to do if a student shows symptoms of illness.
The new guides will help students and their families assess the strengths of online and blended learning.
Find out the process and next steps to draft, validate and implement new K to 12 curriculum.
Biography
Minister LaGrange was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on April 16, 2019, as the MLA for Red Deer North.
A wife, mother of seven, and proud grandmother of four, LaGrange understands the importance of the role that parents play in the development of children. She has an extensive career in helping those Albertans who face physical and mental disabilities, earning her Diploma in Rehabilitative Studies from Humber College in 1981.
LaGrange also has a pedigree as an entrepreneur, owning a trucking company, as well as running a family farm.
Adriana LaGrange was appointed as Alberta’s Education Minister on April 30, 2019. Serving as a Trustee of the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division for more than 11 years, LaGrange is well positioned to understand the unique needs of the education system. She is committed to the development of a modern curriculum to prepare Alberta’s next generation with the skills they need to succeed.