The Alberta Teachers’ Association

The May 29 issue of the ATA News featured a quote from a delegate attending this year’s Annual Representative Assembly, in Calgary. The delegate’s comments referred to the effects of overemphasized focus on provincial achievement tests. Taken on its own, without the context of the broader resolution debate of which it was a part, the quote could be perceived as a denunciation of practices in place at one particular school, which was not the intent of the speaker. In fact, the delegate’s entire speech was a passionate portrayal of how school boards, schools, teachers and students generally may feel pressured to respond to a provincewide, systemic issue of excessive focus on these tests. It was the intent of the ATA News to highlight a well-delivered and heartfelt speech given by a passionate teacher.