Alberta Government Launches Task Force to Address Class Sizes

The Alberta government has announced the formation of a new task force aimed at addressing the pressing issues of classroom complexity and class sizes. Premier Danielle Smith revealed this initiative following her government’s decision to enforce a back-to-work order for 51,000 teachers and to impose a four-year collective contract, utilizing the notwithstanding clause during negotiations with the province’s educators.

While the exact date for the task force’s establishment remains uncertain, Smith expressed her commitment to ensuring that teachers and education assistants will play a significant role in its development. The announcement came after ongoing discussions about educational conditions, which have been a focal point for the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) during negotiations.

Formation and Goals of the Task Force

In June, Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s Education Minister, initiated the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team. This team, composed of 25 members including school board representatives and educational leaders, was tasked with tackling safety concerns and the complexities present in classrooms. At a recent press conference, Nicolaides indicated that the team has drafted a report with recommendations that will be finalized by November 2023.

Following the report’s release, the new class size and complexity task force will be formed. Nicolaides stated, “We will work with school boards to collect better data. We want to understand class sizes and student needs more clearly. This will help us find where support is needed most.”

Smith outlined that the task force would focus on three primary areas, including the collection of annual data from school boards regarding class sizes and student composition. School boards are required to submit this data by November 24, 2023, with public release scheduled for January 2024. This data collection is significant as it resumes a process that was halted six years ago when the province eliminated class-size reporting.

The annual data will encompass several metrics, such as the number of students per classroom, staff roles, substitute teacher availability, and incidents of aggression. Additional information will be gathered regarding students with various needs, including those who are gifted, require individualized program plans, or are learning English as an additional language.

Collaboration and Future Steps

According to Smith, the collected data will inform additional funding allocations to school boards to support the hiring of new teachers and educational assistants. The province also plans to revise its special education standards, implementing a new inclusive education policy framework to replace the existing guidelines that have been in place for over two decades.

Once the recommendations from the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team are public, Nicolaides will begin immediate implementation. He confirmed that the ATA will be invited to participate in the task force, along with various education stakeholders. However, ATA President Jason Schilling commented that the inclusion of teachers’ experiences is crucial for the task force’s success, indicating that the ATA does not yet have a confirmed role as a primary partner.

As of now, specific details regarding the task force’s composition and timeline have yet to be finalized. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Education noted that discussions are ongoing, and the minister has not yet reached out to the ATA regarding their involvement.

The government’s commitment to addressing classroom complexities and sizes reflects a growing recognition of the challenges faced by educators and students in Alberta’s schools. As the task force takes shape, many will be watching closely to see how effectively it can address these longstanding concerns.