Curriculum and Program Update

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

Michael F Podlosky2012 10 20

To Access or DownloadThis Presentation

1. Type www.teachers.ab.ca2. Click “For Members”3. Click “Substitute Teacher Resources”4. Select “Substitute Teachers’ Annual

Conference5. Third paragraph “Click here”

Welcome/Table DiscussionTwo Tasks

1. Table Introductions (5 min)1. Introduce yourself to your colleagues2. You know it is Autumn when . . .

2. Table Discussion (10 min)1. Identify characteristics of “What Makes A

Great School”

Alberta Education

We want to ensure that Alberta’s provincial curriculum (programs of study, assessments and resources) enables our students to become Engaged thinkers and Ethical citizens with an Entrepreneurial Spirit, the “Three E’s” of an Educated Albertan.

HANDOUThttp://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/curriculum/curriculum-redesign-updates.aspx

Curriculum Redesign

• Supports a more student-centred approach through greater choice and personalized learning that emphasizes the development of competencies

• Places greater emphasis on the application of attitudes, skills and knowledge through real-life experiences and focuses on competencies

• Enables more interdisciplinary learning inclusive of all learners

Curriculum Redesign

• Be more accessible (eg, digitally)• Provide for greater depth of study, less breadth • Provide supports for a balanced approach to

assessment • Be based on research and promising practices

for students, and • Support flexible timing, pacing and learning

environments

Curriculum Redesign

A Great School For All

• Part 1: Broad challenges and opportunities that exist in Alberta with respect to creating great schools for all students

• Part 2: Identifies 12 dimensions of transformation

http://www.teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/ATA/Publications/Research-Updates/PD-86-26%20A%20Great%20School%20for%20All-Transforming%20Education%20in%20Alberta.pdf

A Great School For All• Transform one school at a time• Focus on building professional capital• Create a system that supports the work

teachers• Support local innovation

What is needed is “more local autonomy, more flexibility, more choice, less testing, less content, and less standardization”

Zhao 2009

Inclusive Education• Alberta Education Website

– www.education.alberta.ca/inclusion

• IPPs being reviewed this year and Inclusive Education Planning Tool in third year of piloting

• Regional Collaborative Service Delivery• ATA Supports: Workshops, Library, information and

advocacy• Special Education Council

www.specialeducation.ab.ca @atasped #atasped

School Technologies

• Cautious of learning technologies as the primary driver of education transformation

• ATA investigating impact of technology on teaching and learning– http://

www.teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/ATA/Publications/Research-Updates/PD-86-21%20Impact%20of%20Digital%20Technologies.pdf

• Alberta Education revising learning and technology policy framework– http://education.alberta.ca/admin/technology.aspx

2012/2013 Programs of Study – Links and Schedules

Overall information on Alberta Education Website at http://education.alberta.ca/

• 26 Programs of Study • Implementation schedule and quick reference chart for 2012–2013

– www.education.alberta.ca/media/449087/impshed.pdf and www.education.alberta.ca/media/449109/impshed_ref.pdf. 

• Learn Alberta– http://www.learnalberta.ca/Home.aspx

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Education Updates

K–12 Wellness Education: Information can be found on the Education website at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/wellness-education.aspx

Framework for Kindergarten to Grade 12 Wellness Education is available online in English at www.education.alberta.ca/media/1124068/framework_kto12well.pdf and in French at www.education.alberta.ca/media/945780/cadrem_12.pdf

Off-campus Education: The new Handbook mandatory for September 1, 2011 (English and French) is available on the Education website in English at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/off-campus.aspx and in French at www.education.alberta.ca/francais/admin/franco.aspx

ESL Update: The Alberta K-12 ESL Proficiency Benchmarks are available on www.learnalberta.ca using the keyword “ESL” or through the following direct link: www.learnalberta.ca/content/eslapb/index.html   

Connection• Three editions of Connection: Information for Teachers

will be made available in the 2012/13 school year– http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/resources/connection.aspx

• October, January and May editions include– the latest details regarding curriculum, authorized resources,

assessment, technology, special education, career initiatives, and Aboriginal education as well as professional development opportunities

• Subscribe to receive notification of new editions – http://education.alberta.ca/apps/connection/subscribe_en.asp

Education Partner Links• Alberta Education http://education.alberta.ca/• Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium

(ARPDC) http://www.arpdc.ab.ca/• Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA)

http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Pages/home.aspx• Alberta Assessment Consortium (AAC) http://www.aac.ab.ca• 2Learn Education Society http://www.2learn.ca/• Alberta PD Pilot www.albertapd.ca• Guide to Support Implementation: Essential Conditions

http://www.essentialconditions.ca/

Provincial ConsortiaNRLC - Karen Egge - karen.egge@gppsd.ab.ca780-882-7988 or 1-800-864-4140www.nrlc.net

CRC - Jean Hoeft - jhoeft@crcpd.ab.ca403-291-0967www.crcpd.ab.ca

LN - Rene LaFrance rene.lafrance@learning-network.org780-623-2248www.learning-network.org

CARC - Donna McRae - dmcrae@carcpd.ab.ca403-348-8194www.carcpd.ab.ca

CPFPP - Madeleine Lemire - mlemire@cpfpp.ab.ca403-692-2023 www.cpfpp.ab.ca

SAPDC - Jody Rutherford - jody.rutherford@sapdc.ca403-381-5575http://people.uleth.ca/~sapdc/

ERLC - Val Olekshy - val.olekshy@erlc.ca 780-444-2497 ext 227www.erlc.ca