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I. Alberta's Commitment
Universal Public Education
Under the Canadian Constitution, each
province and territory has exclusive jurisdiction over education. Each system reflects the
diversity of the region’s unique historical and cultural heritage.
Public education is provided free of
charge to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents under 20 years of age until the
end of secondary school. In Alberta, students are legally required to attend school from
ages 6 to 16.
Our public education system includes
public, separate, francophone and charter schools, as well as alternative programs and
virtual programs offered by school boards, and home education. Public and separate school
boards operate the basic education system in the province — the universal system
accessible to everyone. Separate school boards administer Roman Catholic and Protestant
separate schools. In Alberta, the minority Roman Catholic or Protestant faith has the
right to form its own school system.
Quick Facts: Alberta
FirstsAlberta was the first province to establish:
- charter schools to encourage
innovative approaches to student learning;
- quality teaching standards to
promote excellence in classroom instruction;
- a classroom assessment materials
program to help teachers evaluate student learning;
- a language development exchange
with Japan.
And, Alberta is one of the first
to offer a registered apprenticeship program to help students begin to learn a trade while
in high school. |
Key Principles
The Alberta School Act contains
five fundamental principles that define a first-rate education for every child in this
province:
Access to quality education
– Every student has the right of access to a quality basic
education that is consistent with the student’s abilities and provides the knowledge,
skills and attitudes to be a self-reliant, responsible, caring and contributing member of
society.
Equity – All students have equal access to a quality basic education
regardless of where in the province they live.
Flexibility and choice
– Parents and students have opportunities to choose schools and
programs in the public education system, within standards and policies set by the
provincial government. School boards are expected to meet the educational needs of the
students and communities they serve.
Responsiveness – The student is the focus of the education system. Legislation,
policies and practices support communities in delivering school programs and services that
are responsive to the unique needs of each child.
Accountability – All those involved in making decisions about educational matters
— from the Minister to school boards and staff, parents and students — must be
accountable for their decisions.
The School Act establishes the
relationship of the Minister of Learning to students, parents and school boards. It
enables the Minister to prescribe courses and programs of study, instructional time and
materials, and educational standards such as high school graduation requirements.
The School Act also defines the
roles and responsibilities of school authorities, superintendents, principals and
teachers, as well as a code of conduct for students.
Next section -> Partners in Education
October 1998
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