The Alberta Teachers’ Association

Workload issues are very real

Question: I am underwhelmed by the provincial government’s response related to Alberta Education–initiated tasks or initiatives that can be eliminated or modified to reduce teacher workload. A review is under way of school-jurisdiction-initiated tasks or initiatives through the C2 committees. Workload issues are very real and they are not going away. Will anything positive happen on workload issues?

Answer: While I certainly agree that the initial report relating to the elimination or modification of Alberta Education–initiated tasks or initiatives is underwhelming, it is the start of a continuing commitment to review workload. We will be following up closely with the government.

We have had a good start on the C2 Committee initiative, and provincially convened meetings have been jointly presented with representatives of the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents and Alberta Education. The imposed settlement includes provisions for teachers to respond where there is no report produced through this process, or where the board’s response to the report does not address the issues identified, including referral of the matter to the Exceptions Committee. The C2 Committee initiative is important; local committees will have to work hard to meet the initial October 31 deadline.

It should also be noted that the imposed settlement includes provision for a provincial workload study. A provincial advisory committee has been established for this study. The Alberta Teachers’ Association’s representatives are S. L. Vogrinetz and S. L. Marcellus. A request for proposal is being developed to complete a process to identify a researcher. This is also an important initiative, and the initial steps taken are very much on track. We will continue to focus on workload issues. ❚