CURRICULUM AND RESOURCE IMPLEMENTATION UPDATES

OCTOBER 2007Alberta Education

September2007

Available on the Curriculum Coordinator Website under

“Current Information"

http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/special/aisi/cccorner/

MINISTERIAL PRIORITIES

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION

Finding Ways: A Community Response in Support of High School Completion

• A community-based toolkit has been developed based on the High School Completion Symposium program.

• Includes a facilitator's guide, participant packages, sample agenda and event planning tips.

• Available at www.education.gov.ab.ca/highschool/

EVENT CALENDAR

• Communities are encouraged to share information about high school completion events in their area.

• This will help inform government's work to develop strategies and identify community-based solutions.

• To enter an event go to http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/highschool/events.asp

Addressing Feedback from

High School Completion Symposium

• An additional $4.5 million in one time grants for Career and Technology Studies (CTS) improvements in equipment and facilities throughout the province.

• Funding will be allocated through conditional grants managed by Skills Canada Alberta.

- more choices could help keep more youth in school -

• K-12 school jurisdictions and charter school authorities interested in exploring the use of emerging technologies to improve student engagement and success in high school.

• Emphasis on initiatives demonstrating innovative use of technology-rich environments to improve the student experience in Grades 9-12.

• A Literature Review – Technology’s Influence on High School Completion – has been prepared to provide both background and practical research-based information.

• More information on the Learning and Technology Web site at www.lnt.ca (you must sign in to access this page).

Request for Proposals

Two New ReportsPromising Practices in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education – Case Study of Two Alberta Schools

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit School-Community Learning Environment Project – Promising Practices • Heighten academic achievement and support

high school completion amongst FNMI students.

• Demonstrate how school jurisdictions and Aboriginal communities are working together to ensure student success.

• Available at http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/FNMI/project.asp

For More Information Contact:

Mark WhetstoneEducation ManagerZone 2/3 Services780 422 8554mark.whetstone@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Options for Early Learning Opportunities

• There are now 2 “count dates” for the ESL as well as the mild/moderate counts … which includes ½ of the basic fee.

• Information from around the province will be collected regarding uptake/programming opportunities being provided through this funding.

• For further information on this initiative go to

http://

www.education.gov.ab.ca/funding/Early_E_F/

For More Information Contact:

Pat Hauck, ManagerAlberta Children and Youth Initiative780 644 2285pat.hauck@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

CURRICULUM BRANCH

• 2007-2008 Implementation Schedule for Programs of Study and Related Activities (June 2007).

• Quick reference for implementation dates.

• Can be accessed at: www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/other.asp

New to Alberta Education’s Website

• 2007-2008 Curriculum Handbooks for Parents

• Curriculum Summaries

• Can be accessed at: www.education.gov.ab.ca/parents/handbooks/

Also New

For More Information Contact:

Merla BolenderDirector, Curriculum780 422 2856 merla.bolender@gov.ab.ca To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

SCIENCE

Revisions • Proposed reduction of content to allow for

greater depth of understanding of key skills and concepts.

• The Kindergarten program statement will include the Kindergarten outcomes of the revised science program of studies.

Infusions• First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives.• Information and Communication Technology

(ICT) outcomes.

K-6 Program of Studies

September 2008• Implementation of Biology 30, Chemistry 30

and Physics 30 (implementation of these courses before the provincial date is not approved).

January 2009• Administration of the first diploma

examinations

Senior High Programs of Study

For More Information Contact:

Sherry Taylor Curriculum ManagerScience K-6 and Elementary Programs780 644 5296sherry.taylor@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

• Exam will be grandfathered for two years – 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 school years

• Students registered in the current Chemistry 30 course (3240/Fr 3245) must write both the Part A and Part B of the 3240/Fr 3245 examination using the current data booklet to accompany the exam

• Students registered in the new Chemistry 30 Program of Studies (3796/Fr 3776) must write both the Part A and Part B of the 3796/Fr 3776 examination and there is a new Chemistry data booklet to accompany this exam. 

Chemistry 30 Diploma Examination

For More Information Contact:

Debra Hay Chemistry 30 Examination Manager780 415 6192debra.hay@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Resources currently under development include:

• grade 4 (print) modules 1-3 are currently available with the remainder to follow in the near future.

• grades 8 (print) and 10 (print and online) and revisions to Thematic 1 and 2 (available fall 2008).

• grades 6, 9 and 11 (print available fall 2009) and grade 12 (print available fall 2010).

Distributed Learning Resources

• Resources scheduled to be available according to the implementation schedule for social studies.

• All distributed learning materials are available on the Tools 4 Teachers Web site shortly after the publication of the print versions.

http://www.tools4teachers.ca/t4t/

Distributed Learning Resources

For More Information Contact:

Merlin FlockResource Manager, Humanities780 674 8757merlin.flock@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Invitation to School AuthoritiesSocial Studies Implementation Support

Committee • Superintendents asked to nominate one or more teachers with experience in teaching Social Studies at divisions II, III and IV.

• The committee will provide input into the review of curricular documents and feedback to the design, development, and validation of digital learning resources that will be hosted on www.learnalberta.ca.

• Response Requested by Friday, October 26, 2007.

• For more information and nomination form visit the Curriculum Coordinator Corner and click on “Work with Us”.

http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/special/aisi/cccorner/

For More Information Contact:

Nathan FreedValidation CoordinatorLearning Technologies Branch780 422 1888nathan.freed@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS & INUIT SERVICES

BRANCH

• The process used by school authorities to obtain and maintain consent as part of the Aboriginal Learner Data Collection Initiative (ALDCI).

• Consistency issues related to ALDCI data.

• Key strategies currently being employed by school authorities to improve FNMI student outcomes.

FNMI Focused Conversation MeetingsAs part of the 2007–2010 Three-Year

Education Plan process, meetings will be held with school jurisdictions to discuss:

• FNMI Services Branch is offering presentations to jurisdictions based on The School-Community Learning Environment Project (SCLEP), 2003-2005 and Promising Practices in FNMI Education: Case Studies of Two Alberta Schools  2006-2007. 

Promising Practices in FNMI Education

ConferencePromising Practices to Enhance High School

Completion Amongst FNMI StudentsNovember 19 and 20, 2007

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton

• Conference will highlight promising practices in assessment and program delivery.

• Sessions will provide practical information, new insights and responsive strategies that support student success and foster high school completion.

• Space is limited to 160 participants so we encourage you to register as soon as possible at www.erlc.ca.

For More Information Contact:

Debra SraykoFNMI Services Branch780 415 1708debra.srayko@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

ARTS EDUCATION

•A Project Plan for the revision of Arts Education programs is being developed.

•A call for nomination of teachers for K – 12 Arts Education Focus Group Meetings was sent to Superintendents in September.

• Free program sponsored by Canada’s National Arts Centre.

• Intended for students in Grades 4 –

6, in mainly rural schools.

Music Ambassador Program

Applications are due November 20, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Maureen MelnykProgram Manager, Arts Education780 644 2280maureen.melnyk@gov.ab.ca

Christine BouchardDirector, French Language Services Branch780 427 2940 christine.bouchard@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

MATHEMATICS

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Kathy McCabe Program Manager K-12 Mathematics 780 644 5296 kathy.mccabe@gov.ab.ca

Lorne Lindenberg Curriculum Manager Mathematics 780 644 5318 lorne.lindenberg@gov.ab.ca

Christine Henzel Resource Manager K-12 Mathematics 780 415 8958 christine.henzel@gov.ab.ca

Vivian Abboud Program Manager, Mathematics French Language Services 780 422 1988 vivian.abboud@gov.ab.ca

For More Information Contact:

SOCIAL STUDIES

For More Information Contact:

Cheryl PrzybillaK-12 Social Studies Program Manager780 422 3282cheryl.przybilla@gov.ab.ca

Keith MillionsSocial Studies Program ManagerFrench Language Services780 422 1899keith.millions@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

OTHER INFORMATION

• In June 2008, French Language Arts will have its first administration of the new 3 test.

• All dates for this years’ administration and any changes can be found in the General Information Bulletins that have been sent to schools.

Diploma Examinations and Provincial Achievement Tests

For More Information Contact: Richard WalkerExecutive Director's OfficeLearner Assessment780 422 4475

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

UNICEF

Support for Social Studies program is available.

For More Information Contact:

Karen LaRoneResource Manager780 422 5231karen.larone@gov.ab.ca

To be connected toll-free inside Alberta dial 310–0000

Published three times per year - the beginning of October, February and June

QUESTION: Would it be beneficial for you if the 1st edition of Connections came out earlier in the school year (say the 3rd week of September)? YES ____ NO ____

Connection: Information for Teachers

http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/connection

Evaluations

• Contribute to the agenda

• Share your ideas, suggestions and questions

• Summaries will be posted

• Please let us know your position

http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/special/aisi/cccorner/

Gina Vivone-Vernon