UCP Reinstates Class Size Reporting in Alberta Schools

The United Conservative Party (UCP) government of Alberta has announced the reinstatement of public reporting on class sizes, a move that comes six years after the previous administration eliminated such data collection. The decision, revealed on November 1, 2023, follows recent negotiations that ended with a legislated order requiring striking teachers to return to work.

Under the new policy, an annual census will be conducted in schools across the province. This census will count students, substitute teachers, and district staff, gathering detailed data on classroom composition. Information will include figures on students with disabilities, gifted and talented learners, and demographics such as refugee students, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students. Additionally, the census will track students with individualized program plans and incidents of aggression or violence in classrooms. School boards are required to submit this data by November 24, 2023, and it will be publicly available by January 2024.

The reinstatement of class size reporting is seen as a crucial step in addressing ongoing concerns about classroom complexity and teacher-student ratios. According to Alberta’s Education Minister, Demetrios Nicolaides, the government is committed to working collaboratively with school boards and teachers to tackle these issues. “We have heard them loud and clear and we are taking bold action to address these issues,” Nicolaides stated. He also announced plans to establish a task force focused on class size and complexity to ensure adequate support for every student.

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has expressed strong support for the government’s decision. ATA president Jason Schilling emphasized that the collection of data will provide essential insights into the realities faced by teachers and students. “This vital information is needed to understand the classroom complexities experienced by teachers and students every day,” Schilling remarked. He noted that the government’s renewed commitment to collect this data will help validate the concerns raised by educators regarding classroom conditions.

Historically, the reporting of class size and composition faced significant opposition. In 2021, a private member’s bill, known as Bill 202, sought to mandate annual reporting and establish provincial standards for class size. However, the UCP majority defeated the bill during its second reading, claiming it would create unnecessary bureaucracy. At the time, Nicolaides argued that the real challenge lay in increasing classroom complexity rather than the need for more data.

Schilling hopes that the recent shift in government policy indicates a change in approach. “School boards have been collecting this data the entire time,” he noted, adding that the new requirement will ensure the public is informed about classroom conditions.

The decision to reinstate class size reporting comes at a time when educational stakeholders are increasingly focused on the need for transparency and accountability in the education system. As the UCP moves forward with this initiative, it faces the challenge of effectively addressing the complexities that impact both teaching and learning in Alberta’s classrooms.

The 2023-2024 academic year will mark a pivotal moment for Alberta’s education system, as the government seeks to balance the needs of students and educators while navigating the ongoing challenges of a rapidly growing student population. With the implementation of the new reporting measures, stakeholders hope to gain a clearer understanding of classroom dynamics and advocate for the necessary resources to support educational excellence across the province.