Byelection Survey Question 7
Do you believe program and course development at the school board level must be transparent and focused on clearly defined knowledge outcomes?
Wards 4 & 7
Joe Degagne:
Yes.
Dan Penna:
Knowledge-based rather than process-based outcomes result in better educational outcomes.
Maria-Teresa Vecchio-Romano:
Candidate did not complete our survey.
Wards 11 & 12
Steve Chapman:
100%.. I see no reason why complete transparency and metrics are not readily available on any program or course. I would have to believe that developers would have to go through that process before any program is ever implemented at a school so why not have that available to the public.
Kimberly Cichon:
Clear outcomes and purposeful direction are crucial for developing and implementing any program. An effective curriculum begins with a strong and transparent vision.
Laura Dennison:
This is an interesting question. While curriculum development is the responsibility of Alberta Education, there is a critical role for parents to actively engage with school councils and school boards to ensure that programs are relevant, desirable, and academically strong for students.
However, School boards frequently adopt locally developed courses created by other districts if they feel that it would be of interest and benefit to their students. They will develop a 3-credit course based on these programs. This collaboration between districts is desirable and cost effective. These courses are usually niche based such as military history, student and community needs, mental health literacy, mathematics analysis and approaches, etc. They are designed to compliment provincial curriculums.
As a trustee, I would prioritize ensuring that these processes remain transparent and focused on delivering meaningful learning opportunities that enhance students' education and future readiness.
Chantelle Dur:
Transparency ensures that parents and stakeholders can trust the process, while clear knowledge outcomes provide students with a strong foundation for academic success. In Catholic education, this approach also ensures that programs reflect our shared values and align with the mission of nurturing both academic excellence and faith formation.