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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Until Oct. 7, 2022

Province inviting Albertans to have their say on new teacher code of conduct

Sep 20, 2022 | 2:50 PM

The Alberta government says public feedback is expected to help the province create a new code of conduct for teachers and teacher leaders to ensure that students, parents and the public have confidence in the education system.

Alberta’s government is asking Albertans for input to help develop a single code of professional conduct for all teachers and teacher leaders regardless of where they are employed. The government says a public survey gives teachers and teacher leaders, parents, students and Albertans across the province the chance to provide their input. The survey is available on alberta.ca until Oct. 7.

Currently, there are two codes of conduct for teachers and teacher leaders, one for those who are members of the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and one for those who are not, says the government. A unified code of professional conduct, however, is anticipated to include the best and most effective features of both codes.

“This is another step that improves the quality of classroom education in Alberta. We’re building on our important work to enhance oversight of the teacher profession and ensure the safety and wellbeing of students so they can get the education we know they deserve,” said Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education, in a press release Tuesday.

“The CASS board of directors is pleased the ministry will consult school system leaders, other education partners and the broader public in the development of the new code of professional conduct,” added Dr. Scott Morrison, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents.

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“Our association welcomes public engagement on the development of a single code of conduct for teachers and teacher leaders. It is important that input from a broad range of stakeholders be considered including the certified professionals who work in independent schools and early childhood services programs, as well as the parents who choose these institutions for their children,” shared Abraham Abougouche, president, Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta.

“We trust our teachers with our children every single day – that is why the future code of professional conduct is so important. I’m pleased to see Alberta’s government engaging with a wide range of education partners, victim advocacy groups and everyday parents, teachers, and students. This survey is an opportunity for all of us to share our feedback, on behalf of the youth we serve, to develop this new code of conduct,” stated Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder, Respect Group Inc.

“Teachers, like health professionals, psychologists and social workers, hold positions of power and authority with their students and families. We are pleased to provide input to help ensure the updated code of conduct specifically addresses protection for students against sexual abuse,” noted Debra Tomlinson, CEO, Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services.

In addition to the public survey, the government says it continues to engage with a broad spectrum of key education system stakeholders who will provide valuable feedback and insight on the unified code of professional conduct. This is said to include the Alberta Teachers’ Association, the Association of Alberta Public Charter Schools, the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of Independent Schools and Colleges in Alberta and the Association of Alberta Deans of Education.

The government says consultations have also included focused engagement with victim advocacy groups including the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services, the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and the Respect Group Inc. During the review of the teacher discipline process, which is said to have informed the Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act, stakeholder engagement also included victim advocacy groups. According to the government, continued engagement with victim advocacy groups is hoped to ensure that standards in the new single code of conduct consider important perspectives on student safety.

Alberta government quick facts

• In spring 2022, the Education (Reforming Teacher Profession Discipline) Amendment Act set out the authority to develop a code of professional conduct that will apply to all teachers and teacher leaders.
• Currently, two codes of conduct are in effect:
  • The ATA Code of Professional Conduct is for teachers who work in public, separate and francophone schools as well as those who work in school authority central offices who are part of the collective agreement and hold active membership status in the ATA. This code applies to about 85 per cent of Alberta’s practicing teachers and teacher leaders.
  • The Professional Conduct Requirements for Teachers and Teacher Leaders are found in the schedule of the Practice Review of Teachers and Teacher Leaders Regulation. These conduct requirements apply to all teachers and teacher leaders who are not active members of the ATA, including those employed in First Nations schools, public charter schools and independent schools, as well as superintendents and teacher leaders who work in school authority central offices and are not active ATA members. This code of conduct applies to about 15 per cent of Alberta’s practicing teachers and teacher leaders and all remaining certificated teachers and teacher leaders who have left the profession or retired.
• For the purposes of the new unified code of conduct, a teacher is someone who holds a valid Alberta teaching certificate issued by the Minister of Education, and a teacher leader is a teacher who holds a leadership certificate or a superintendent leadership certificate.
• It is anticipated that the new code of conduct will be implemented Jan. 1, 2023.

Sarah Hoffman, NDP Critic for Education, made the following statement in response to the UCP’s plans to develop a new code of conduct for teachers:

“Adriana LaGrange and the UCP have caused serious harm to Alberta students, staff, and families. They refuse to build schools in growing neighbourhoods, they have cut a thousand teachers from classrooms, and they are imposing a botched curriculum that won’t prepare Alberta students for success.

“Parents tell me constantly they want to see less overcrowding in classrooms, more support for kids with complex needs, and a modern inclusive curriculum.

“The UCP is pursuing their own political agenda trying to pit teachers against families, at the expense of children’s learning. Albertans can’t trust the UCP with education.”