New Alberta Education Act reinforces role of parents, students and trustees

Alberta’s proposed new Education Act will help ensure all Alberta children reach their full potential. Revised legislation reinforces role of parents, students and trustees.

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Edmonton - October 23, 2012 - Alberta’s proposed new Education Act will help ensure all Alberta children reach their full potential.

“The Education Act brings to life the vision for education that thousands of Albertans shared with us through Inspiring Education,” Education Minister Jeff Johnson said after Bill 3 was introduced in the Legislature. “This legislation is about putting kids first and making our schools safe, welcoming places where diversity is celebrated and bullying is simply not tolerated.”

Bill 3 contains some of the toughest anti-bullying measures anywhere in Canada and acknowledges that all education partners - parents, students, teachers, administrators and trustees - need to work together to make schools hubs of the community.

“The Education Act is actually the first legislation in Canada to formally recognize the role of parents as a child's first and most important teacher,” said Johnson. “As a parent, that is something I am very proud of.”

The legislation will allow for more local decision-making by giving school boards more flexibility, while reinforcing their obligation to work closely with communities and post-secondary institutions. The bill continues to ensure parents have choice about the kind of educational environment that is right for their child, whether it is public, separate, Francophone, private, charter or home education.

“As the name of the legislation suggests, we’ve shifted the focus from the school and the system to the student and his or her education,” Johnson said. “The focus needs to go beyond just the four walls of the school and involve the community in making sure that all students get the best possible education.”

“I want to thank all our education partners and the Albertans who shared their ideas about this important piece of legislation over the past several months,” said Johnson. “Thanks to their feedback, we have taken a strong piece of legislation and made it even stronger.”

The proposed Education Act would replace the School Act of 1988, which currently guides the provision of education in Alberta. If passed, corresponding regulations and policies will be reviewed to ensure a successful transition and to strengthen the education system for the future. Albertans will be consulted for their input into how supporting regulations should be revised.