The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association (ACSTA) ­expressed its concerns about sections of the bill that related to sharing school facilities, merging school boards, and provisions on diversity and respect.

On March 19, 2012, the Alberta Teachers’ Association issued a media ­release with the title: “Alberta’s teachers call for inclusive comprehensive public education.” At the time of its media release, the ATA was not aware that less than an hour before, ACSTA had sent out a media release ­outlining its concerns with Bill 2.

In its release, the ATA addressed matters raised by homeschoolers and ­expressed its support for Bill 2, provided that amendments were made regarding charter schools. ATA President Carol Henderson stated in the release: “Our public education system brings all students together in an inclusive environment that respects diversity. Parents should not be concerned about this language change in Bill 2, since other provisions in this bill and in the Human Rights Act clearly ­enforce parental rights.”

Suggestions have been made that the ATA’s media release was in direct response to ACSTA’s position, and allegations were made that the ATA is anti-Catholic. This is not true!

The Alberta Teachers’ Association has a strong and proud tradition as the foremost advocate of public education in Alberta, and public education includes schools in the province’s public, separate and ­francophone school jurisdictions.

For Alberta’s teachers and their Association, public education is the preferred model of school delivery because it satisfies the following four criteria:

1. Public education is free and accessible to every child, regardless of his or her learning needs or backgrounds.
2. Public education is delivered by certificated, skilled and knowledgeable teachers who are full and active members of the ­profession and governed by the Code of Professional Conduct.
3. Public education is funded by all Albertans, recognizing that ­education meets the needs of society as a whole, not just the needs of students and their parents.
4. Public education is governed by school boards that are ­democratically elected from the community at large.

Catholic education in Alberta satisfies these criteria as well, and as such is a valued component of Alberta’s public education system.

The historical and constitutional legitimacy of Alberta’s separate schools is not in question. What is of concern, however, is the proliferation of charter and private schools in Alberta, as these schools have practices that are not consistent with one or more of the above criteria and, in some cases, do not respect the professional and employment rights of teachers working in those schools.

In the 1990s, Alberta’s teachers rallied against threats to public education. Through the combined efforts of our members in public and separate school jurisdictions, teachers communicated loud and clear that public education works. Teachers ensured also that public education would continue to receive government support and funding. Teachers in both the Catholic and public school systems achieved these victories together. And they continue to work together to improve public education. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Annual Representative Assembly, where Catholics and non-Catholics gather each year to endorse policies, many of which relate to diversity, equity and human rights. Our collective values that celebrate diversity and support dignity and respect for all students are consistent with Catholic values, and teachers are proud of that fact.

ACSTA and the majority of Catholic educators understand the ATA’s position. That is why it is unfortunate, and puzzling, that some individuals are choosing to advocate against the Association.