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Parental engagement, teaching quality more important than class size—Johnson
The legislative assembly reconvened October 28 for its fall sitting, which is expected to run until December 5. Here are highlights of some of the education issues raised in question period between October 28 and November 7, when the assembly adjourned for a constituency week:
School Class Sizes
October 31—Naresh Bhardwaj (PC—Edmonton-Ellerslie), citing population growth and large classes in his constituency, asked Minister of Education Jeff Johnson what measures are in place to mitigate the foreseeable growth and address ballooning class sizes. Johnson responded by pointing to government’s school infrastructure commitments and to increased funding for inclusive education and the Class Size Initiative. Bhardwaj asked Johnson how government will ensure that quality of education is not compromised. Johnson replied that parental engagement and teaching quality are the two most important variables affecting quality of education. “We’ve got a task force out talking to teachers and Albertans about what we can do to make sure teachers have the supports they need and that we have the assurances that we need to have great teachers in the classroom,” he said. Bhardwaj asked Johnson how government can “ease the heavy loads of teachers who feel very stressed out right now.” Johnson replied that the Task Force for Teaching Excellence is asking teachers whether they are receiving the necessary training, resources and supports. He added that government is working formally on the issue of teacher workload through the legislated settlement as well as “trying to find out with school boards what we can strip out of the tasks that [teachers] have today to make sure they’re focused in the classroom on making our kids have the best learning experience possible.”
Education Funding
October 28—Deron Bilous (ND—Edmonton-Beverly–Clareview), suggesting that 11,000 more students and a $14.5 million reduction in education funding equals less learning, asked Johnson to admit that the cuts are hurting students, support staff and teachers. Johnson replied that the education budget grew from $6.085 billion in 2012/13 to $6.13 billion in 2013/14. He added that, when capital funding and government’s promise to fund increased enrolment are taken into account, the education budget has increased by $300 million. Suggesting that 500 positions have been cut from the education system while classrooms are becoming increasingly complex, Bilous asked Johnson to admit that the cuts have failed students. Johnson replied that, while the budget is challenging for school boards, class size funding and inclusive education funding have both increased. “One [of] the more important things going forward is the quality of the teacher in the classroom and the supports they have and what we’re putting toward inclusion,” he said. Bilous asked Johnson whether students, support staff and teachers are a low priority for government. Johnson replied that government, which has proven that it is putting students first, is investing more in education than almost any other jurisdiction in North America. He added that Canada has scored extremely well on international tests over the past decade, with Alberta having the top scores in Canada in all three categories.
School Construction
October 29—Kent Hehr (LIB—Calgary-Buffalo), suggesting that the education system has gained 51,000 students and lost 2,000 teachers over the last three years, asked Johnson to admit that students are facing a steep and unprecedented service cut. “Absolutely not,” Johnson replied. Noting that Alberta has one of the best education systems in the world, he indicated that the education budget has increased although particular schools and school boards may have a different amount of money to work with this year than last. “We look at the Education Act, the ATA deal. We look at the removal of PATs. Those are promises made and promises kept,” he added.
School Board Finances
November 7—Deron Bilous (ND—Edmonton-Beverly–Clareview), suggesting that government has forced school boards to drain $90 million from their reserves, asked Johnson how many school boards will run deficits this year “because of your refusal to invest in our students.” Johnson replied that government is investing in students, families and communities. He added that, while school boards’ accumulated operating reserves have declined by $90 million since 2007, their reserves rose by $200 million between 2005 and 2007. Suggesting that 41 school boards are being forced to run deficits this year, which will drain another $63 million from their reserves, Bilous asked Johnson to admit that government is forcing boards into the red to make up for Premier Alison Redford’s “broken promises to students.” Johnson replied that school boards have $600 million in reserves. He noted that, while former minister of education Ron Liepert had warned school boards in 2006 that they needed to stop accumulating reserves, their reserves have risen by $250 million over the last six years. Suggesting that Johnson’s spokesperson had contradicted his assertion that education funding has increased by $300 million this year, Bilous asked Johnson why he is raiding school boards to cover up government’s “broken-promises budget.” Johnson replied that the province’s school boards are among the best funded on the continent. He added that the $300 million takes into account government’s commitment to fund increased enrolment.
Vision Assessments for Schoolchildren
October 31—Mary Anne Jablonski (PC—Red Deer-North), citing research suggesting that fewer than 15 per cent of students have their vision tested comprehensively but that 80 per cent of learning is dependent on vision, asked Johnson what measures are in place to ensure that comprehensive visual testing is available for students. Johnson replied that it is important to identify special needs as soon as possible and that school boards are responsible to determine the most appropriate ways to provide supports for students with special needs. He identified Eye See … Eye Learn, developed by the Alberta Association of Optometrists, as a program that can be accessed by kindergarten students.
Northland School Division
October 29—Pearl Calahasen (PC—Lesser Slave Lake) asked Johnson why government had not exercised section 10(3) of the Northland School Division Act and allowed the division to have a corporate board of trustees following the recent school board elections. Johnson replied that government will ensure that the division continues to make progress on the 48 recommendations of the Northland School Division Inquiry Team. He added that the official trustee will remain in place “until we can change some legislation to put a proper board in.” Calahasen asked Johnson when the division will be allowed a board of trustees. Johnson replied that government hopes to change the legislation within the next year. “There have been many improvements made already in the work that’s taken place with the official trustee, including the development of a literacy strategy, full-day kindergarten and a dramatic reduction in complaints from parents and community,” he added. Calahasen asked Johnson when government will release the report of the Northland Community Engagement Team. Johnson expressed hope that the report, which is on his desk, will be released soon. ❚
