Alberta's draft K-6 curriculum to be delayed in 4 subjects, LaGrange announces

The Alberta government is delaying the introduction of a new draft elementary school curriculum in four subjects, and pushing back the introduction of a new curriculum for junior and senior high.

In a news release Monday, the province said all K-6 students must begin learning from the new English language arts, math and physical education and wellness curriculum in September 2022.

However, the new K-6 curriculum for social studies, French immersion and francophone language arts, science and fine arts will be delayed.

"We have listened to the valuable insights provided by parents, education stakeholders, teachers and Albertans and are making significant content and implementation changes to reflect this," Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said in a statement.

"The steps we are taking now will ensure our students are learning from an updated curriculum that prepares them for the future."

The province said the level of concern about the social studies draft has prompted them to discard its working copy, and draw up a new blueprint rearranging the order the information should be taught in.

The blueprint proposes to add lessons about more ancient civilizations, and move that material to Grade 5 from Grade 2.

Background material provided by the government said people had concerns about the age and developmental appropriateness of the content in social studies.

People giving feedback also said there was too much material for children to learn, and pointed to concerns about a lack of diverse perspectives and biased language.

These echo the concerns numerous critics have vocalized about all subjects of the draft elementary curriculum.

The government's hand-picked adviser influencing the social studies curriculum has been under scrutiny for social media posts and writings critics say are racist and Eurocentric.

The government says more changes could be coming to address the concerns of Indigenous and Francophone Albertans. Officials have not provided specifics.

The government says it will appoint another advisory group, to begin work in the new year, to propose how the new K-6 curriculum should be introduced into classrooms. That group is supposed to give recommendations to the minister by spring.

The government hasn't yet decided who will serve on the group or how many members it will have.