Overview
The department, on occasion, may publish various reports and other documents regarding specific school authorities. These documents may be of interest to the public, including parents of students enrolled with these school authorities.
Calgary Board of Education (2020)
As a result of findings from a third-party review, a ministerial order with 19 recommendations was issued to the Calgary Board of Education.
The minister of education ordered the independent review in December 2019. The resulting report was released in May 2020.
The ministerial order was issued in May 2020 and all recommendations were to be complete by November 30, 2020.
Alberta Education confirmed all the directives in the ministerial order had been met in January 2021.
Alberta Education continues to monitor ongoing implementation of the directives, including a formal check-in after 6 months and 1 year.
Documents
Big Plans for Little Kids Ltd. (2019)
As a result of findings from a third-party audit, Alberta Education did not allow Big Plans for Little Kids Ltd. to operate in the 2019/20 school year. All private Early Childhood Services (ECS) operators must comply with the financial requirements set forth by the Government of Alberta, and the audit found that this provider was in violation of those requirements.
Minister LaGrange directed Alberta Education staff to work with parents of every child affected to ensure a smooth transition to other ECS operators. Alberta Education funding continued to follow each child to their new ECS operator. More information was available in the July 11, 2019 news release.
Documents
- Big Plans for Little Kids Ltd. – Governance Review – May 2019
- Big Plans for Little Kids Ltd. – Financial Review – May 2019
Calgary Board of Education (2017-18)
On June 9, 2017, the Minister of Education ordered a financial review of the Board System and Administration and Transportation areas of the Calgary Board of Education.
The review was the result of a significant budgeted shortfall and concerns from Calgary parents regarding school transportation. An initial report was released on September 14, 2017. The final report was released in April 2018.
Documents
Edmonton Catholic School District (2016)
Alberta Education expects the elected members of all school boards across Alberta to act in the best interests of students. After governance issues arose within the board of Edmonton Catholic School District, the minister appointed an observer to work with the board.
The observer concluded his work on June 30, 2016, and provided a report of his findings and recommendations. Among the recommendations is for the board to regularly report to the ministry to demonstrate the steps they are taking to improve their practices.
Alberta Education will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the board is putting the best interests of students first.
Documents
- Observer's Report – Edmonton Catholic School District
National Growth Partners has provided Alberta Education with an observer's report, which focuses of the board governance of Edmonton Catholic Schools.
Northland School Division
Government remains committed to taking action to help ensure a positive future for the students of Northland School Division.
Steering committee
A cross-ministry steering committee made up of representatives from Education, Advanced Education, Children's Services, Health and Indigenous Relations has been created. The steering committee's mandate is to provide ongoing oversight and strategic guidance to the division in support of its efforts to improve its educational outcomes. Government believes there has to be a fresh approach with Northland, because what has been done in the past has met with limited success.
Community engagement
Reports from both the Northland Inquiry Team and the Community Engagement Team continue to inform government policy and decision-making.
A series of community engagements occurred throughout 2015 to 2017 with community stakeholders in Northland to discuss governance and potential amendments to the Northland School Division Act.
Documents
- Community Engagement Team Report
- Northland School Division Inquiry Team Report
- Engagement Team Recommendations
Government response to Inquiry Team recommendations and Community Engagement Team recommendations