Education Act 2011: Let's Keep the Conversation Going

Bill 18: Education Act 2011

Back in November 2010, CAPSC hosted Rakhi Pancholi, a Legislative Consultant with Alberta Education, who spoke about the proposed framework for the new Education Act. Parents had an engaging session with the Alberta Education representative and she did a great job fielding questions and eliciting feedback. After the meeting, parents were able to continue the conversation online with Alberta Education.

Since then, the Education Act was introduced to the Legislature as Bill 18. In a press release coinciding with its introduction, the Hon. Dave Hancock stated , “The proposed legislation will underpin the transformation of the education system to reflect expectations for high school completion, online and other flexible learning environments and a wide range of supports to students.”

Before the spring session ended, the legislation had two readings but did not pass into law. The Education Minister hoped to engage the public further before final passage. Unfortunately, the delivery of the Alberta Government’s 2011/2012 budget in February and its impact on schools has tended to overshadow the conversation around this critical piece of legislation. Legislation that will move the transformation of our education system forward and keep Alberta leading edge. This province and its citizens cannot afford to fall behind other jurisdictions nationally and internationally in a fast paced, global economy.

It is also important that as parents we should get familiar with the proposed Education Act. We need to ask questions and provide feedback on its various provisions because it will directly and/or indirectly affect us and our children. For example, what does the Education Act have to say about school fees, transportation, cyber bullying, roles and responsibilities of parents and students, raising the legal age for leaving school, and expanding funded access up to the age of 21? Alberta Education has provided a great resource for the public on its “What’s New” webpage. Another starting point is a brochure highlighting various aspects of the legislation.

From there you can move to the “Engage” homepage or check out more specific links under Student Success, Community Engagement and Local Decision-Making, Governance and General. You can also check out the video "Education Act" on youtube.

Keep the conversation going - let us know if there is any aspect of or topic related to this issue you would like to see addressed at our fall meetings and drop us a line at info@capsc.ca.