A survey for parents, teachers and students of planned changes to the Alberta kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum, launched by Alberta Education Oct. 8, is raising a few concerns for Rocky View Schools (RVS) trustees Bev LePeare and Norma Lang.
“I did the survey – I was very disappointed with the first part,” LaPeare said. “The questions are clearly geared to make you answer them the way they want you to. The other part allows you to have a little bit more input.”
RVS Superintendent of Schools Greg Luterbach presented the curriculum review process for the Board of Trustees at its Nov. 3 meeting, including information about the recently launched survey.
“I share your frustration,” Lang said to LaPeare. “I felt I was being led down the garden path to a conclusion that wasn’t really what I wanted.”
Board Chair Colleen Munro offered a slightly different perspective.
“I think it’s very interesting how the journey that Rocky View has been on for the last eight years or so is so tightly aligned to this curriculum survey,” she said.
“Many of the things – the catch phrases, the outcomes – look to me like there’s synergy there. Even though pieces of it might be disappointing, maybe we’re way ahead of the curve in Rocky View when it comes to this.”
The two-part online survey allows parents to provide feedback at every grade level and across six subjects: arts, language arts – including both French and English – math, social studies, sciences and wellness.
Part A asks for feedback on the future direction of the new curriculum while Part B asks respondents to provide answers to questions dealing with the existing curriculum.
Luterbach said a joint school council meeting was being held Nov. 17 for all school councils within RVS to discuss the curriculum review process.
Representatives from Alberta Education will be at that meeting and available to answer questions.
