ALBERTA PARENTS UNION - A Year Of Wins
As we close out our second year at the Alberta Parents’ Union, it’s remarkable to reflect on just how far we’ve come in such a short time.
We have quickly grown our small organization into a powerful movement that is driving meaningful change in the Alberta education system.
Together, we’ve challenged entrenched interests, pushed for common-sense reforms, and proven that parents can make a difference when we stand united.
The accomplishments we’re about to share with you are not just milestones - they are proof that with determination and support from people like you, even a small organization can achieve big things.
As we reflect on 2024, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
Delivering Real Change
Recognizing Parents’ Rights In Education
From the beginning, we called for measures to ensure transparency and accountability in Alberta’s education system. Thanks to your support, parents have more of a say in classrooms. We raised concerns about the use of outside resources in classrooms. The government responded with regulations, and now one of our proposed amendments to Bill 27 was adopted.
Cellphone-Free Classrooms
Less distracting and bullying-prone learning environments are now a reality in Alberta schools, ensuring students can focus on their education.
A Fairer Funding Model
With the government’s announcement that Budget 2024 will be the final one using the Weighted Moving Average, we’ve successfully advocated for a fairer and more transparent funding model for Alberta’s schools.
Accelerated School Construction
The Alberta School Construction Accelerator Program was launched this year, ensuring that charter and independent schools receive the same consideration as public schools. This achievement was made possible by land ownership reforms we supported - reforms that the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) and their allies strongly opposed.
Preserving Early Learning Assessments
Despite opposition - again - from the ATA, we successfully advocated for early learning assessments to ensure children get the support they need during their most formative years.
Amplifying Parents' Voices
Raising Awareness and Driving Action
We raised public awareness about the disconnect between the Alberta School Councils’ Association and the parents they claim to represent. We also played a crucial role in building public pressure for school trustee by-elections, resulting in several being held this year.
Empowering School Board Candidates
Through surveys and training initiatives, we’ve prepared parents to advocate for their children by running for school board positions. These efforts are laying the groundwork for long-term change.
A National Voice for Parents
Our work reached audiences far and wide, with appearances on all sorts of media, from CBC and Maclean’s Magazine to Bridge City News, and everything in between. We amplified our message and ensured parents’ perspectives were front and center in the public debate.
Standing Firm Against Harmful Policies
Opposing Harmful Ideologies
We challenged the ATA’s monopolistic influence, fought against ineffective teaching methods (like Fountas and Pinnell and Building Thinking Classrooms), and opposed the appointment of anti-parent advocates to positions of influence.
Promoting a Better Curriculum
We continued to advocate for a content-rich, history-based, and sequential social studies curriculum that equips students with the knowledge they need to succeed.
Even our critics, including the ATA, have acknowledged our effectiveness by naming us as a unique threat to their outdated approach to education.
With your continued help, we will build on this year’s successes, ensuring that Alberta’s education system remains one that respects parents, values choice, and delivers excellence for students.