Alberta government releases latest draft of new social studies curriculum
CBC
The Alberta government has released another draft social studies curriculum and outline that proposes to tackle Canadian and global history, ancient civilizations, economics, and the inner workings of political parties.
The latest chapter in a six-year battle over what children should learn in social studies came Thursday, when the United Conservative Party government released its second attempt at a kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum.
It also released a broad overview of social studies topics that it says should be covered all the way through Grade 12.
"I'm confident that we are developing a social studies curriculum that meets the learning needs of all students and positions them for success," Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said at a news conference Thursday morning at Edmonton's Belgravia School.
Public outcry pushed the UCP government under then-premier Jason Kenney to take its 2021 draft of the social studies curriculum back to the drawing board.
Nicolaides, who replaced Adriana LaGrange as education minister, ordered more engagement during the last year with the public, educators, professors, cultural groups and other interested parties.
A fall survey of nearly 13,000 respondents found little consensus on what topics the curriculum should cover, though there was some preference for lessons that helped children develop critical thinking skills.
The draft documents released Thursday say the curriculum for kindergarten students would start with introductions to landmarks and institutions in their communities. By Grade 2, they would learn about Canada, including the regions, leaders, Indigenous history, even taxes.
The curriculum for Grade 5 focuses on ancient civilizations, including their social and government structures. This is a departure from a previous draft that would have introduced some of these topics in Grade 2.
Junior high students would delve further into Canadian history and international relations. Grade 8 would include a deep dive into political parties, economics, ideology and party organization.
Although treaty education would begin in Grade 2, residential schools would not be taught until Grade 9. In its 2015 Calls to Action, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, treaties and Indigenous contributions be taught starting in kindergarten.
The outline of the curriculum for high school students proposes extensive coverage of European history, economic and political philosophers, world wars and the Holocaust, terrorism, monetary policy and "victims of communism."
The government is seeking public feedback on the draft through an online form until March 29.
Nicolaides said feedback will inform a revised draft, which elementary schools can begin piloting starting next September. Unlike the previous social studies draft, the minister said he wants participants to pilot the material for a full school year, before making it mandatory in September 2025.
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