FAQ on the LDC Review
Frequently Asked Questions about the Strategic Review of Locally Developed Courses
1. What is happening with locally developed courses?
Education is initiating a strategic review of locally developed courses (LDCs) to examine how the ministry will continue to support LDCs in response to what we have heard from Albertans through initiatives such as Inspiring Education, Speak Out and other forums. The review will help assess whether LDCs (including religious studies LDCs), in their current form and administration, are effective and efficient in meeting student needs, provide school authorities with options for innovation and responsiveness, and align with the ministry’s strategic direction for the future.
2. What are Locally Developed Courses?
Locally developed junior and senior high school courses are developed or acquired and authorized by school authorities to provide instructional opportunities that complement provincially authorized programs. This enables school authorities to be innovative and responsive to local and individual needs.
Education is committed to meeting the changing needs of students by encouraging flexibility at the local level. School authorities have developed/acquired and authorized LDCs in a variety of subject areas to accommodate the special interests and abilities of students, to address local community or parent interests, or to provide for innovative practices.
3. Can school authorities continue to offer their locally developed courses?
Yes. During the review, school authorities may continue to offer their currently authorized LDCs and their students will continue to receive credits for course completions. Education will continue to provide Credit Unit Enrolment (CEU) funding for LDCs that meet the current requirements.
School authorities will be able to renew or extend their currently authorized LDCs, providing these courses do not overlap with current or new provincial programs and that acquired courses are renewed by the developing board.
4. Will school authorities be able to submit requests for newly developed or newly acquired courses during the review?
No. To facilitate the review, Education will not accept submissions from school authorities for newly developed or newly acquired LDCs until the 2012/2013 school year.
5. What is the status of the locally developed courses we have submitted through LDCOMS or by email for September 2010?
Any course that has been entered into LDCOMS or was listed in your notification to Education before the March 15th deadline is not affected by the Deputy Minister’s memo of May 7, 2010. We are recommending that you proceed with board authorization of all courses in order to meet the May 31st deadline, even if you have not received written confirmation from us.
6. What if, during the review, there are special circumstances that affect our requirements for a locally developed course?
As with any new project, special circumstances do arise. To discuss your particular situation, contact Joan Engel, Director, Arts, Communications and Citizenship, Mathematics and Science, Curriculum Sector at Joan.Engel@gov.ab.ca or by phone at 780-422-0629 (first dial 310-0000 for toll-free calling).
7. Are locally developed courses being reviewed because of funding cutbacks?
LDCs are being reviewed as part of a number of Education initiatives looking at the future of education in Alberta. CEU funding will continue during the review for currently authorized courses that meet Education requirements.
8. Will locally developed courses be eliminated because of new curriculum?
Only those LDCs that overlap with or duplicate new provincial programs will be affected. If previously authorized LDCs are deemed to have significant overlap or to duplicate new courses (e.g. Career and Technology Studies, Mathematics) the LDCs course codes will be withdrawn and assistance provided to help school authorities transition to the new courses.
9. If a school authority has a new school opening, does this mean that they will not be able to offer locally developed courses during the review?
No. LDCs are authorized by school authorities. Any LDC that the school authority has authorized can be offered by any school in the school authority for the term of the course. Which schools offer which courses is a local decision.
10. Are junior high locally developed courses involved in the LDC review?
No. Although junior high school LDCs are modeled on the same format as senior high school LDCs, they are not submitted to Education before authorization, and are not being included in this LDC review.
11. Who will be consulted during the review of Locally Developed Courses?
Education will be consulting with school authorities (public, separate, francophone, private, charter, heritage language schools, and federal schools) through a variety of strategies such as face-to-face meetings, videoconferencing, representative committees, online surveys, and others. An external advisory committee will be formed including representatives of several different stakeholder groups.
12. How can I stay informed?
School Authorities can stay informed of new developments and new opportunities to provide input by visiting this web page.
