Action on Inclusion

In June 2010, the Government of Alberta provided its formal response to the Setting the Direction initiative framework in which it accepted all 12 of the recommendations, which the response identified as strategic directions for it to implement. In the fall of 2010, inclusion was identified as part of government’s Inspiring Action on Education initiative, and Setting the Direction was renamed Action on Inclusion to signal implementation of an inclusive education system.

The goal of an inclusive education system is to provide all students with learning environments and opportunities where they can receive a quality education regardless of their ability, disability, language, cultural background, gender or age. Some have said, this is what should already be happening in education, and they’re right. However, some children, youth and their families do not feel that they have the same opportunities as their peers.

The Setting the Direction project's purpose was to create a new framework to ensure Alberta students with special education needs get the supports they need to be successful.

Phase 1 of the project in November and December 2008, featured province-wide consultations on the vision and principles that should govern Alberta’s special education programming and delivery.

Phase 1 consultation involved input from approximately 3,500 Albertans who represent the views of parents and guardians, teachers, school administrators, school authority staff, school board trustees, teacher assistants, community support organizations and health care professionals.

Phase 2 of Setting the Direction, featured province-wide consultations to affirm the vision and principles that should govern Alberta’s special education programming and delivery and provided an overview of five building blocks that could herald positive and important change (high expectations for all students, using strengths and abilities to drive programming, building capacity for staff and the learning team, collaborating for learner success and accessing learning resources and technologies for the 21st Century).

Phase 2 consultation involved input from approximately 6,000 Albertans who represent the views of parents and guardians, elders, teachers, school administrators, school authority staff, school board trustees, post-secondary representatives, students, teacher assistants, community support organizations and health care professionals.

On June 8 and 9, 2009, approximately 850 Albertans participated in the Setting the Direction Minister’s Forum. This Forum marked the third consultation of Setting the Direction and was an opportunity for all Albertans to discuss the proposed framework presented to government by the Setting the Direction Steering Committee.

In addition, 288 individuals joined the webcast from 78 unique sites. Visitors from as far away as Australia and California listened into the sessions and contributed to the question and answer portions of the Forum.

The Government of Alberta will support stakeholders and service providers as Action on Inclusion is implemented over the next few years. A Provincial Advisory Committee, made up of stakeholder and government representatives, will advise government in its ongoing work to facilitate a smooth transition to an inclusive education system.

- Source: Alberta Education website
http://education.alberta.ca/department/ipr/inclusion.aspx

Action on Inclusion – Elementary, Junior High and High School Report Card Review
Based on the philosophy of Action on Inclusion, the current elementary, junior high and high school progress reports/report cards are under review. The hope is that the new versions will reflect best practice in student reporting, current research, teacher/administrator recommendations and public participation feedback. Please use the links below to see the feedback obtained by students, schools and parents.

It is recognized that the new version of the report card will need to be supported by the technical requirements of the new student information system (PowerSchool). The goal is to implement the new report cards in September, 2012. The consultation and public participation timeline are as follows:

Implementation Timeline:

• May / June / September, 2011 – Review of feedback and development of draft documents by Action on Inclusion Report Card Committee
• September 30th, 2011 – Recommendations reviewed by IT for inclusion in new PowerSchool Report Card
• September – December, 2011 – Continued review and consultation
• January – June, 2012 – Staff development and preparation for implementation
• September, 2012 – Implementation
• 2012/2013 monitor, review and evaluate implementation on new report cards/progress reports

For more information about the project, please see the documents below: