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Education attracted a fair amount of attention as the legislative assembly continued its spring sitting. Below are highlights of some of the education issues raised in question period from March 17 to March 20, when the assembly adjourned for a two-week spring break:
Education Performance Measures
March 17—After distinguishing between curriculum and instruction, Kent Hehr (AL—Calgary-Buffalo) asked Minister of Education Jeff Johnson how teachers can be expected to support student learning with 25, 30 or even 40 students in their classrooms. Johnson replied that, while class size is an important factor in success, it is not the only factor nor is it the most important one. He added that government has steadily increased its investment in smaller class sizes in the early grades, which benefit most from that investment. Hehr reported that 48,000 more students have joined the education system over the last four years but only 106 new teachers have been hired. Suggesting that Alberta should have 3,200 new teachers instead, Hehr asked Johnson to admit that the situation is not good for kids. Johnson replied that he would be happy to look into Hehr’s statistics. Johnson noted that, while Alberta does not track the number of classroom teachers, the regulatory review committee may require school boards to report those statistics. He added that government has increased the budget for the classroom but decreased the budget for administration, transportation and research. Noting that government has promised 50 new schools, Hehr asked Johnson to "come clean" and admit that none of the new schools would be built by the 2016 provincial election. Minister of Infrastructure Ric McIver replied that it was nice to see another opposition member excited about the Building Alberta plan. Noting that the first step toward building new schools is putting in place the planning and programming, he insisted that government intends to complete the 50 new schools and 70 school modernizations by 2016.
Educational Curriculum Redesign
March 19—Hector Goudreau (PC—Dunvegan–Central Peace–Notley) reported that, the preceding evening, the Wildrose had conducted a telephone town hall on education, in which self-identified Wildrose supporters had confirmed that teachers are teaching basic facts and skills, in spite of their party’s views to the contrary. He asked Johnson whether Albertans should believe Johnson or the Wildrose. Johnson replied that parents and teachers, including Wildrose supporters, had "called out" the Wildrose at the town hall. He suggested that the Wildrose needs to stop disparaging teachers, educators and students. Goudreau asked Johnson to confirm that students will continue to learn fundamental skills when the curriculum is redesigned. Johnson replied that curriculum redesign will be cutting edge, comprehensive, dynamic and rigorous and that government will take the time to get it right. He added that government can best leverage teachers’ expertise by continually improving the curriculum. Goudreau asked Johnson to describe his commitment to moving forward with the ideals and objectives of Inspiring Education. Johnson replied that Inspiring Education is the result of unprecedented consultation with Albertans and that government is committed to it. "This government is for Inspiring Education," he concluded.
March 19—Bruce McAllister (W—Chestermere–Rocky View) reported that 35,000 Albertans had participated in the Wildrose’s telephone town hall on education the preceding evening. He asked Johnson to comment on one participant’s observation that junior high school teachers are asking elementary school teachers to explain why "the basics" have to be retaught at the junior high level. Johnson replied that curriculum redesign will re-emphasize the basics and inquiry-based learning. It’s not a matter of one or the other, but of both. He alleged that the Wildrose had cut off speakers at the town hall who had not agreed with Wildrose rhetoric. McAllister reported that elementary school teachers respond to junior high school teachers by saying that elementary teachers, too, have to reteach the basics. He asked Johnson whether he will address the problem or bury his head in the sand and ignore teachers and parents. Johnson replied that he had previously indicated that government will ensure that the fundamentals of math, such as times tables, are taught in schools. McAllister asked Johnson whether he realizes that what he is saying contradicts what tens of thousands of Albertans say is happening in schools every day or whether government has lost touch with regular, everyday Albertans. Johnson expressed his belief that all town hall participants had been regular, everyday Albertans. He added that Alberta’s international test results had fallen by 2.5 per cent, not the 30 per cent claimed by the Wildrose.
Mathematics Curriculum
March 18—Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith asked Johnson why he will not restore the practice of teaching basic math skills to elementary students. "We will and we are," Johnson replied. "It’s not a matter of old rote memorization versus inquiry-based methods of teaching. When we’re talking about curriculum, we’re talking about the what, not the how. What they’re saying is that they don’t trust teachers. They don’t trust teachers to decide which methods work best for which kid." Citing a teacher and former principal in Edmonton School District who, in turn, had cited a study concluding that "unassisted discovery does not benefit learners," Smith reiterated her question. "We will and we are," Johnson replied. "It’s not one or the other; it’s both. [Teachers] need the latitude, they need the flexibility to decide how to teach each kid." Citing a column in the March 18 Calgary Herald, in which, she suggested, government expresses its belief that students will not need math skills in the future, Smith reiterated her question. Johnson replied that, while the Wildrose wants government to change curriculum, the Wildrose does not support curriculum changes. He added that one of the purposes of curriculum redesign is to reinforce the fundamentals—literacy and numeracy.
March 20—McAllister asked Deputy Premier Dave Hancock whether he still insists on replacing basic math teachings with discovery- or inquiry-based learning. Hancock replied that Johnson had previously indicated that literacy and numeracy will be a fundamental part of the curriculum going forward. Distinguishing between curriculum and teaching styles, Hancock noted that Alberta students "are good in their numeracy. It’s the problem-solving skills where they had a problem" on the recent Programme for International Student Assessment. Citing two university professors who have criticized discovery-based learning, McAllister asked Hancock whether he supports the push to inquiry-based discovery learning or whether he will listen to Albertans. Hancock responded by suggesting that McAllister did not understand the distinction between curriculum and instruction. Hancock added that teachers—"experts in the field"—develop curriculum. Citing one of the two university professors, who had expressed frustration that Alberta Education had rejected almost all of the advice of two university committees it consulted about proposed changes to the high school math curriculum, McAllister asked Hancock when he will listen. Noting that experts have different opinions and viewpoints, Hancock reiterated that teachers develop the curriculum, which, he acknowledged, should be "unpacked."
