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C2 Committees under way
Sharon Vogrinetz, ATA Assistant Executive Secretary
Over the past few years, teachers have expressed concerns about conditions of professional practice and how these conditions affect their ability to enhance student learning.
One approach mandated by the provincial framework agreement to address teacher workload is the C2 Committee (C2 stands for section C2 of the agreement). The committees will provide a forum to discuss these concerns. The 2013–16 provincial framework agreement states:
Within each school jurisdiction a joint committee will be established and maintained for at least the duration of this Framework Agreement to design, direct and conduct internal reviews to determine what jurisdiction-initiated tasks or policies can be eliminated or modified to reduce teacher workload and improve teacher efficacy. The committee shall be comprised of representatives of the School Jurisdiction named by the School Jurisdiction, teachers named by the Association Bargaining Unit and a facilitator provided by Alberta Education. The School Jurisdiction and Association Bargaining Unit shall jointly determine the size and composition of the committee such that it reflects the diversity of teaching circumstances across the jurisdiction.
C2 committees should be the stewards of collaborative and positive changes within each school jurisdiction; education stakeholders should use this unique opportunity to improve teachers’ conditions of professional practice and, by doing so, improve learning conditions for students in Alberta.
Each local has identified a C2 Committee key leader for each bargaining unit. Key leaders met with their corresponding board leaders, superintendents and local presidents at a provincial meeting in June. Alberta Education has named a facilitator for each jurisdiction. C2 key leaders attended the ATA’s Summer Conference to review what needs to be done prior to the initial report, due October 31, 2013.
Over the next two months, committees will collect data to determine what steps should be taken to improve teachers’ ability to meet students’ needs. The commitment to undertake such an initiative starts from the top: “[Alberta Education] wants to ensure teachers have the time to focus on that transformation and on their students,” and “is committed to ongoing analysis in order to further reduce or eliminate unnecessary tasks” and “to find ways of freeing up time for teachers to implement the vision of Inspiring Education” (Alberta Education Internal Review, June 28, 2013). School jurisdictions are expected to make the same assessment of district-initiated tasks.
In the meantime, what can you do?
Your local may seek your input on various issues. Please take time to respond thoughtfully. While this is yet more work at a busy time of the year, it is important to ensure the best possible outcome, which may have a major effect on your future work. ❚
