Legislation supports Learning Commission recommendations
Edmonton... Legislative amendments have been introduced in the Alberta Legislature to expand the duties of teachers and to allow for a new process for addressing issues of teacher competence.
Bill 25, the School Amendment Act, and Bill 26, the Teaching Profession Amendment Act, follow up on government's response to recommendations of Alberta's Commission on Learning related to the teaching profession. The amendments will allow for the setting up of a new practice review process for teachers whose competence is in question, improve the functioning of the Board of Reference, expand the professional responsibilities of teachers as recommended by the Learning Commission, and allow certificated non-teaching central office staff the option to be members of the Alberta Teachers' Association.
"This puts into legislation what we have already committed to do as it relates to the Learning Commission's recommendations around the teaching profession," said Minister of Learning Dr. Lyle Oberg.
Government worked with the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Alberta School Boards Association during the process of reviewing these recommendations. Following are highlights of the amendments:
Practice Review Process
Following up on the previously announced new practice review process for teachers, government has introduced amendments to the Teaching Profession Act to enable the ATA to assess the professional competency of its members. It will put into place a process for parents to address concerns around teacher competency.
With the implementation of a new practice review process, the need for the Board of Reference to be involved in issues of teacher competence will diminish. Legislative changes being tabled will also improve the functioning of the board, as it will continue to play an important role in hearing employment matters beyond the scope of the practice review.
Professional Responsibilities
Government supported the Learning Commission's recommendation to expand teachers' professional responsibilities to include not only teaching in the classroom, but also participating in development of curriculum, development and marking of provincial tests, and supervising student teachers.
Non-teaching, central office staff given option to have associate ATA membership
Government supported the Commission recommendation to allow non-teaching, certificated central office staff the ability to choose their membership standing in the ATA. The ATA will continue as a single organization responsible for professional services and collective bargaining for teachers. This amendment will affect only central office administrators who are not part of the collective bargaining agreement, as well as certain other non-teaching administrators.
