education act presentation may 3 & 4

March, 2010

Education Act

A Primer on the new legislation

May 2011

Education Act and Policy Shifts

• Represents input received through public engagements

• Timelines and political context

• Policy shifts discussed within three themes:

1. Boards engaging partners

2. Educational opportunities

3. Governance of education

Theme #1 - BOARDS ENGAGING PARTNERS

Opportunity: The collaboration and cooperation of all partners in the education system ensures the educational success of every student in Alberta.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Section 33, 34, 50

BOARDS ENGAGING PARTNERS

Natural Person Powers

Opportunity: Locally elected boards use their autonomy and flexibility to engage in or carry out any activity that is consistent with the responsibilities of a board as outlined in the act.

Education Act reference: Sections 33, 48, 50


Responsibilities and powers of school boards

Opportunity: Board responsibilities that reflect a student-centred focus and the principles of inclusiveness, fairness, diversity and excellence provide a strong basis for board action and will assist all stakeholders in the education system to understand the work of locally elected boards.

Education Act reference: Sections 11, 33, 48, 50


Engaging with educational partners

Opportunity: Educational opportunities for students are enhanced through the board’s engagement of students, parents, staff, the community and educational partners.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 33(1)(c)(f), 34(d), 50(1)(c), 52


Caring, respectful and safe environments for students and staff

Opportunity: Alberta’s schools are caring, respectful and safe environments for all students and staff.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 31(c), 32(d),33(1)(d), 33(2)


Specialized supports and services

Opportunity: Specialized supports and services are provided for all students determined by a board to be in need of these supports and services.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 11, 33(1)(e), 37, 39, 40, 41


Principles of inclusive education

Opportunity: All students are included in one education system that takes responsibility for all students and focuses on their strengths and emphasizes what they can do.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Section 33(1)(e)


Board code of conduct

Opportunity: Boards determine locally a code of conduct which sets the stage for the board to deal with trustee behavior and conduct issues.

Education Act reference: Sections 33(1)(j), 34, 84


Appointment of superintendent

Opportunity: The board has the authority to appoint the superintendent and to set out the process by which it will select the superintendent.

Education Act reference: Sections 33(1)(i), 217-219


Responsibilities of trustees

Opportunity: A trustee’s primary responsibilities are clearly stated and understood.

Education Act reference: Section 34


Responsibilities of parents

Opportunity: The responsibilities of parents are identified and signal the important role parents play in their children’s education.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Section 32


Responsibilities of students

Opportunity: Students understand and demonstrate the active role they play in their learning and the environment of those around them.


Theme #2 - EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunity: The Education Act provides the legislative framework for many new educational opportunities for students in Alberta.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 11, 33, 50

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Age of access

Opportunity: Students will have additional time to successfully complete high school programming as the upper age limit has been extended to 21 years.



Compulsory attendance

Opportunity: By setting a higher expectation for attendance at school more students will receive a high school credential.

Education Act reference: Sections 7, 8


Student residency

Opportunity: Every person who at September 1 in a year is six years of age or older and younger than 21 years of age who is a resident of Alberta and who has a parent who is a resident of Canada is entitled to an education program as outlined in the act.

Education Act reference: Sections: 3-5, 10, 11


ECS programming

Opportunity: Coordinated early childhood learning based upon consistent programming standards is in place for all children.



Francophone education program

Opportunity: Francophone minority language rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada are supported and more clearly outlined.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 1(h)(i)(j)(k), 14, 15, 121-132, 255(7)(8)(9)


Alternative programs

Opportunity: Education in Alberta is as open as possible as it provides high quality learning opportunities for students across the province.



Charter schools

Opportunity: Through their innovative approaches to education and focus on research, charter schools provide educational choices and opportunities for parents and students.

Education Act reference: Sections 24-28, 255(2)


Education services agreements

Opportunity: Education services agreements between school boards and First Nations bands and/or the federal government include accountability for educational outcomes, the recognition of the unique needs of First Nations students, and commit to engage all parties to the agreement.



Suspensions and expulsions

Opportunity: Students are taking responsibility for their own actions and contributing to a caring, respectful and safe environment.



Dispute resolution

Opportunity: Matters of concern are dealt with and resolved locally by the people most directly affected.

Education Act reference: Sections 38-41


Attendance boards and informal case-conferencing

Opportunity: Through earlier and more encompassing interventions at the local level greater success is achieved in dealing with student attendance issues.

Education Act reference: Sections 9, 42-47

Theme #3 - GOVERNANCE OF EDUCATION

Opportunity: Within the provincial framework provided by the Education Act, local school boards are in the best position to determine the needs of students and the programming needed to meet these needs.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 33, 34, 50

GOVERNANCE OF EDUCATION

Districts, divisions and regional divisions becoming divisions

Opportunity: The new act provides for all governance units presently known as school districts, school divisions and regional divisions to become school divisions.

Education Act reference: Section 255(10)(11)


Ward establishment

Opportunity: School boards determine the boundaries of wards

or electoral subdivisions.

Education Act reference: Section 73, 255(4)(5)


Separate school district establishment

Opportunity: Minority denominational rights, either Protestant or Roman Catholic, guaranteed under the Constitution of Canada are honored.

Education Act reference: Preamble, Sections 106-119


Separate school elector choice

Opportunity: Separate School electors have choice as to which jurisdiction, public or separate, they may vote or run for election as a trustee.



Regulations related to board governance and administrative procedures

Opportunity: The Education Act has fewer procedural and administrative sections and focuses more on students and meeting their educational needs.

Education Act reference: Part 4, Division Two, Sections 61-66


Fees

Opportunity: Fees charged to students are clarified within principles-based parameters.



School closures

Opportunity: School boards are in the best position to make decisions about school buildings which support student achievement and make appropriate use of space.



Transportation

Opportunity: Boards have flexibility and are responsive to the needs of their community in determining how to best provide safe and appropriate transportation to their students.

Education Act reference: Section 50(2)(c)(ii), 56


Appointed trustees

Opportunity: The appointment of trustees where a vacancy has occurred between elections or where an education services agreement exists ensures greater representation of

stakeholders.



Board borrowing

Opportunity: Circumstances in which a board is not required to obtain the prior approval of the Minister before borrowing for operating or capital expenditures are clarified.



Acquisition of property

Opportunity: Boards are provided greater flexibility as related to the acquisition of property.



Petitions, notice of public meetings, public meetings, regulations

Opportunity: Administrative sections of the act have been removed and will be placed in regulations.

Education Act reference: Sections 242-245

EDUCATION PROFESSIONS

Opportunity: A review of this part of the act and the Teaching Professions Act will occur at a later date and will form the basis of a new education professions and occupations act.

Education Act reference: Part 7, Sections 191-237

education act presentation may 3 & 4

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