On Tuesday, post-secondary institutions from around Alberta joined with the Government of Alberta to launch ApplyAlberta, a single place for students to apply to post-secondary programs. The new web-based application and transcript transfer system makes it simpler for students to apply to one, two or even more of Alberta's publicly funded post-secondary institutions....

Alberta's First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) leaders and the Government of Alberta have established a First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Partnership Council to guide the future direction of FNMI education in Alberta. The Partnership Council's efforts will identify and complement the work already being done in FNMI education in our province and is Alberta's next step stemming from discussions at the Summit on Aboriginal Education hosted by the Council of Ministers of...

On January 21, Minister Hancock announced the appointment of an official trustee and an inquiry team in Northland School Division. The official trustee, Dr. Colin Kelly, replaced the 23 members of the Northland board, while the three-person inquiry team has been asked to examine how student outcomes and governance in the school district can be improved....

Do you know a great teacher? Students, parents, teachers, principals and community members are encouraged to nominate a teacher or principal for their exceptional work with K-12 students in Alberta classrooms. Nominations for the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Awards must be submitted to Alberta Education by February 5. English and French nomination packages, which include details of eligibility and selection criteria, are available at this page: http://www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/excellence.aspx...

This month's Atlantic has a provocative article posing the question, "What Makes a Great Teacher?" The author looks at work that the Teach for America project has done since 2002 to answer this question. The findings suggest that students' socioeconomic status may not matter as much as is sometimes believed:...

Speak Out is Alberta Education's way of ensuring Alberta's youth have a voice in the decisions that affect their learning and their futures. It's an opportunity for students to tell us how we can offer education programs that are supportive, flexible and consistent with their needs....

The Calgary Herald recently published an article misleadingly titled "Calgary-area school bids to save cafeteria" that goes well beyond the challenges of operating a rural high school to discuss several other current concerns about education in Alberta. The article also covers concerns about what the spring budget will mean for education (read more here), the Stop the Cuts campaign (read more here), Inspiring Education and Setting the Direction, a potential school closure (which is the...

Today's Edmonton Journal has an outstanding article on the coming budget for education in Alberta. The article clearly lays out some of the possibilities that are under consideration. Your views are always welcome — you can post on this article using the comments section below, or contact the Minister. The article is divided into three parts: Murky education road ahead worries Albertans What's likely to be cut and what isn't Other Options...

Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the government considering massive cuts, stakeholder groups have been speaking out for public education, only to receive a scolding by the Minister of Education. But teachers, school trustees, and parents are not to blame. They're not to blame for creating a climate of fear around education. The actions of the minister are creating a climate of fear. To the Premier. School boards and trustees are fighting for...

I want to thank those of you who have taken the time to write me about how you value education. I have always encouraged thoughtful advocacy for education and have no desire to ever discourage it, especially at this critical time. Indeed, over the past year, we have had several broad public discussions about the value and future of education (including Inspiring Education, Setting the Direction for Special Education, and Speak Out Alberta). We've...

This morning Minister Hancock spoke at the Fall General Meeting of the Alberta School Boards' Association. His remarks follow below (check against delivery). Thank you very much, Heather, and thank you for the invitation to speak with you again....

Mrs. Sarich: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. School divisions across this province are facing some significant workforce planning challenges over the next few years. A high number of teacher retirements, growing high student enrolment, and a decreasing supply of qualified teachers in specialized subject areas as well as in certain areas in the province are all leading to the need to plan for our teaching workforce. In northern Alberta these challenges are magnified 10-fold....

Today, the Obama administration launched a new program called "Educate to Innovate," which President Obama described as "a nationwide effort to help reach the goal this administration has set: moving to the top in science and math education in the next decade."...

On November 17, a small group of students from the University of Alberta Education Students' Association gathered on the steps of the Legislature as part of the Alberta Teachers' Association's "Stop the Cuts" campaign. Minister Hancock met with representatives from the students' association, and then spoke to the students about their concerns. Minister Hancock: So what is it you want me to know?...

Dr. Swann: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This government seems content to leave wasteful spending on everything from executive bonuses and slick public advertising untouched. Instead, again they turn to health care and education as the first targets for cuts. My question is to the Premier. Will the Premier make a firm and unshakeable commitment to Albertans and to future teachers who were demonstrating on the steps today that he will protect public education from...

The draft K-12 Arts Education Curriculum Framework proposes a unified vision for arts education in Alberta across the four arts disciplines — drama, dance, visual arts, and music — from elementary through senior high school. It outlines opportunities for learning in, about and through the arts. This means retaining the traditions and rigour of each discipline, while exploring opportunities to infuse the arts across subject areas. I have heard concerns that the draft framework proposes...

Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The fine arts contribute so much to our society, economy, and the development of our young people. However, this government is using a curriculum review to deliberately weaken valuable fine arts programs in our schools. Students, parents, and teachers are outraged. My questions are to the Minister of Education. If the government truly believes in the importance of our fine arts programs, why is this minister dramatically cutting...

Mrs. Leskiw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last spring I brought forth private member's Motion 503, which urged the government to "eliminate provincial achievement tests for grade 3 students and consider alternative assessments for learning." On March 16, 2009, Motion 503 was carried. Teachers and parents across Alberta are wondering what action the government has taken pertaining to the elimination of grade 3 PATs. Mr. Speaker, my question is the to Minister of Education. What...

Mr. Bhardwaj: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On October 20 I attended an information session put on by Terra, a centre for pregnant teens, helping teenage mothers to complete high school. I must say that they're doing a wonderful job. My questions are to the Minister of Education. What steps is your ministry taking to help these young women complete high school? The Speaker: The hon. minister. Mr. Hancock: Thank you, Mr. Speaker....

The Harvard Education Letter has a lengthy and provocative piece called "'Platooning' Instruction" that discusses the benefits and detriments of organizing elementary schools so that teachers specialize in particular subject areas, much as junior and senior high schools presently do. As Inspiring Education looks at the future of education in Alberta, this is a good example of the kind of bold change that could improve student outcomes without requiring major new spending....

Today's Edmonton Journal has a great editorial about Inspiring Education called "We must get the big picture right in Alberta's classrooms." It describes the essential importance of focusing on the future of education despite whatever other challenges we may presently be facing. Two documents cited in the article have been considered extensively by both the Steering Committee (composed of Albertans who have wide perspectives, but no one particular focus on education) and the Working Committee...

Ms Woo-Paw: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Having a knowledgeable and skilled workforce is key in meeting the future needs of our economy. Between 1988 and 2008 the number of identified English as a second language students in Alberta has tripled from about 15,000 to 50,000, yet those students in Alberta are faced with one of the highest dropout rates in our province. In a recent study by the Coalition for Equal Access to Education...

[Note: see the October 5 entry "Examining Change – Changing Exams" for more information on the change to the exam format. The revised exam schedule that moves chemistry and math to different days is available here.] Mrs. McQueen: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Department of Education announced that the grade 12 diploma exams in math and science will no longer include a written response but will only include multiple choice numeric responses. Given that...

Today, the Government of Alberta announced it has finalized contracts to design and construct four new high schools in Alberta, including a 750 student Grade 10-12 Catholic school in Terwillegar. Construction on the schools will break ground later this fall, and they will open for class in September 2013. "These new schools will serve to inspire student learning and provide exciting environments for learning," said Minister of Education Dave Hancock in a news release. "Schools...

Mr. McFarland: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I've been hearing from three of the school boards in our riding about recent cuts of some $80 million to school board budgets. In addition, I think many of us have seen the ads where the ATA and the ASBA have expressed their interest in this issue. To the minister: if investing in our education is really so critical to the economic prosperity and recovery of this province, why...

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Awards, which recognize outstanding teachers and principals for the exceptional work they do with K-12 students across the province. A nomination package, including details of eligibility and selection criteria, is available at Alberta Education's Excellence in Teaching Awards page. Nominations can be submitted to Alberta Education until February 5, 2010. This year, 134 semi-finalists will be selected. Twenty of those semi-finalists will receive Provincial Excellence...

The following message was sent by Minister Hancock to education stakeholders this afternoon. Since the end of August, we have talked very openly about some of the very difficult fiscal challenges facing Alberta over the next few years, and this evening Premier Stelmach will talk about the future of our province. In this message, I want to speak to our short and long-term challenges and opportunities. To address our immediate pressures, I informed school jurisdictions...

Today, Minister Hancock, along with his ministerial colleagues Doug Horner (Advanced Education and Technology) and Gene Zwozdesky (Aboriginal Relations) signed an agreement with five First Nations and Métis leaders to establish an Education Partnership Council to guide the future of Aboriginal education in Alberta. The Council will provide a forum to address shortcomings and roadblocks in the delivery of education to Alberta's Aboriginal peoples. Its membership includes the three ministers; the Grand Chiefs of Treaties...

Education watchers in Alberta will be interested in a story in today's Edmonton Journal headlined Minister seeks aboriginal education funding boost. The negotiations the article describes are part of Alberta Education's ongoing efforts to improve First Nations and Métis student achievement across the province....

Since announcing changes to the Math and Science diploma exams (and in fact even before), there has been a wide damnation and derision from the public media and significant concern expressed by the ATA, some teachers and students. Interestingly, the e-mails I get from students tend to be in class or school groups. There is also a significant size Facebook group which I will visit regularly. As well there is some discussion on our...

I am receiving a significant number of e-mails regarding the government position on the average weekly earnings adjustment.    In fall 1997 the Government of Alberta and the ATA reached an historic agreement providing that the Government would take full responsibility for the pre 1992 unfunded liability for teacher's pensions.  Prior to that agreement the government paid 2/3 and teachers 1/3.  The total liability was in the nature of $6 billion.  As part of the...

As July started, I was travelling half way around the world at the invitation (with a significant contribution to the cost) of the Minister of Education of Singapore to meet with six other jurisdictions considered to be leading edge in education. The invitation was an opportunity arising out of a McKinsey report on leading educational jurisdictions to discuss how we got to where we are and how we continue to take the necessary steps to...

There's an interesting article (and a quick read) in this month's Atlantic about Baltimore's recent experiences improving student nutrition. Take the junk food out of vending machines, build central kitchens, and source local produce — while finding the money within the current system. A good lesson for Alberta's school boards?...

On June 8 and 9, nearly 1000 Albertans gathered in Edmonton to learn about and discuss a proposed new policy framework for inclusive education in our province (read the news release). The gathering was the third phase of public consultation on the Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta process. The feedback will inform further revisions to the framework which will be considered by government in coming months, and implemented beginning in September...

Minister Hancock spoke today at the Alberta Teachers' Association's 92nd Annual Representative Assembly. Excerpts of his remarks are reproduced below. Thank you very much for your kind invitation and warm welcome. And I want to start, Frank, by saying thank you to you. It's been a pleasure working with you over the past year for the good of education in the province. And I have to say more than the past year, because actually we've...

A blog called "Catalytic Conversations" has an interesting and thought-provoking post called "We Want YOU . . . to Learn: The Education Imperatives". The blogger writes that there are three reasons that education exists — for the individual, for the community, and for the country. Exploring the purposes of education is one of the tasks currently being undertaken by Alberta Education's Inspiring Education project. What do you think? Why do we educate our students, and...

Mr. Fawcett: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today the Minister of Education announced a number of ways in which citizens of this province can participate in Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans. In addition to daylong sessions around the province, Albertans can also join the conversation online or use conversation kits to host a discussion in their own community. My question is to the Minister of Education. What is he doing to ensure that disadvantaged...

The following is excerpted from Alberta Hansard on the afternoon of March 10. Mr. Amery: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 1995 as a strategy to improve education, the Alberta government introduced charter schools. Each of these schools, of which there are 12 in Alberta, has a unique charter mandate providing innovation and choice to parents in our education system, but because of the charter terms these schools have no guarantee that their charter will be...

The following is excerpted from Alberta Hansard on the afternoon of March 10. Information on achievement testing in Grades 3, 6 and 9 is available from Alberta Education. Mr. Chase: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Fraser Institute recently released their rankings of Alberta schools based on the province's achievement test scores. Commenting on the ranking, the Minister of Education stated, and I quote: "In my view, it is a totally inappropriate way to measure whether...

Linda Lantor Fandel, the Des Moines Register's deputy editorial page editor, has won first place in the opinion category in the 2008 National Awards for Education Reporting for her series, "World Class Schools for Iowa?" As part of her series, Linda visited Alberta to discover what makes Alberta's schools among the very best in the world. Her in-depth article "Alberta keeps pushing to improve its schools" is well worth reading and sharing....

Over the past six weeks, teachers from around the province have gathered for teachers' conventions. These two-day sessions of professional development afford teachers the opportunity to refine their skills and explore leading trends in education. Minister Hancock spoke at several of these conventions, as his schedule permitted. His remarks focused on the future of education in Alberta, with a particular emphasis on technology....

Alberta Education is presently undertaking a consultation called Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta. This project is examining and re-thinking how supports are currently provided to students with special needs. Today's Edmonton Journal has an article about Setting the Direction that outlines where the initiative is taking special education in Alberta. As Minister Hancock notes in the article, "We don't want kids falling through the cracks. At the end of the day, I...

As part of its 21st Century EdTech Spotlight on Alberta, the MindShare Learning Report, an online educational technology magazine, did an interview with Minister Hancock to discuss where technology and education are headed in Alberta.Among the topics discussed are the Minister's participation in the Learning and Technology World Forum in London in January 2009, the importance of leadership in school technology use, trends and funding for information and communications technology, and the changing role of teachers in...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I, too, am pleased to have the opportunity to rise today in response to the speech delivered by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor. The Lieutenant Governor showed considerable emotion in starting his speech and noted that it was his fifth. I can only say in starting a response that we have been well served by this particular Lieutenant Governor and that he has done well for both the institution and office...

Dave recently visited the Green School at the University of Alberta's Devonian Botanic Garden. An article about the visit was published in the University of Alberta's Folio newspaper.From the story:School-age children participating in a new program at the Devonian Botanic Garden designed to help them connect with nature had a surprise visitor earlier this month. Dave Hancock, the provincial minister of education, dropped by and chatted with the children about what they were learning."It was...

Lots going on at Alberta Education with a strong focus on the future.  I will be writing about several projects like "Setting the Direction for Special Education" and "Inspiring Education: a Dialogue with Albertans" in later blogs.  I would encourage interested people, particularly students, to go to www.speakout.alberta.ca. and participate in discussions by students on what is important to them about education.  But today I want to focus on a topic that is probably one of...

Today the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) met in Saskatoon.  We typically meet twice per year to share views on a number of issues we have in common.  A focus of CMEC over the past few years, and continuing, is literacy.  This has been and continues to be a very important issue for me personally.  I have tried to be very supportive to community and provincial organizations who work in the field.  The...

The start of a Legislature Session seems a good time to relaunch into the blogosphere.  Time is always the serious constraint so best intentions coming out of the election last March to keep up with the public discourse on the digital media were relegated to following discussions as I could and when blogposts were sent to my Facebook site or otherwise brought to my attention.  Often the topics bear response, but thoughtful critique is not...