The spring sitting of the legislature began on Tuesday, Feb. 25 with a speech from the throne, followed by the tabling of Budget 2020 on Feb. 27. (Read the ATA’s news release on the budget here)
Throne Speech
An excerpt from the throne speech on the topic of education:
“At the heart of the Alberta advantage is our strong, pluralistic public education system. That is why my government will introduce a choice in education act, to reaffirm that parents have primary responsibility for their children’s education. This law will be the first in Canada to incorporate the language of the universal declaration of human rights stating that “parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.” My government will also implement recommendations of the curriculum review committee, including its call for a refocus on teaching core competencies, depoliticizing the curriculum, and standardized testing.”- Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Lois Mitchell.
The full text of the speech from the throne as well as additional information can be found here.
Question Period
Below are highlights of the proceedings of interest to the Association:
Education Funding Framework, Feb 27
Tany Yao (UCP— Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo) asked minister of education Adriana LaGrange how the new funding model will fulfill the
commitments government made to Albertans and help support rural schools. LaGrange answered that the model will help support rural schools to deliver equitable programs by providing grants. She added the model will reduce red tape and give more flexibility to school boards. It will also simplify the number of grants from 36 down to 15. She concluded by stating that the model was created through engagement with education system leaders.
Education Funding, Feb 26
Sarah Hoffman (NDP—Edmonton Glenora) asked Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange to acknowledge that in the current fiscal year, school board funding was reduced by $136 million. LaGrange answered that government has maintained record spending in education. She read quotes from both Calgary Catholic and Grande Prairie Public school boards that were in support of the new funding model.
Members Statements
Rakhi Pancholi (NDP—Edmonton-Whitemud) made a statement pointing to the government’s underfunding of public education. She noted that with the new funding model, boards will not be able to keep up with growth. She stated that her children are now “entering an education system that is under attack by their own government, a system that the Education minister is dragging backwards with an outdated approach to learning that focuses on standardized testing rather than fostering students’ abilities to think critically.”- Feb. 27
Jordan Walker (UCP— Sherwood Park) made a statement championing the government’s commitment to school choice, pointing to a number of schools in his constituency that support unique learning needs.
Brad Rutherford (UCP— Leduc-Beaumont) made a statement praising the government’s new funding framework, noting that it is 15 years old. He said that in that time inflation accounted for 55 per cent of increased costs while total spending increased by 80 per cent, with student outcomes remaining the same. The new model will offer boards more flexibility and predictability in regards to annual funding.