This release was issued under a previous government.

Grade 3 students will begin taking new computer-based assessments this fall, with grades 6 and 9 following suit in the 2015 and 2016 school years.

“We are improving our student assessments to put the focus back on the student and how to best prepare them for the year ahead. The new assessments will help teachers and parents enhance instruction to ensure students are well supported and prepared for the next stage of their education.”

Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education

The new assessments will eventually replace paper-based provincial achievement tests that are administered at the end of each school year for grades 3, 6, and 9 students.

“Assessing children’s literacy and numeracy skills early on in the school year is a step in the right direction. This shift would encourage a greater focus on each student’s individual learning needs, and promote better communication between teachers and parents.”

Brad Vonkeman, President of the Alberta School Councils’ Association

The new assessments will continue to maintain a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, but will also help teachers and parents understand how well students demonstrate skills such as innovation, creativity, collaboration, and the ability to apply knowledge to different scenarios.

“We are making progress on an assessment tool that meets children's learning needs and gives teachers the information they require. We are still working on how we assess students’ performance collectively - and how we communicate that to our stakeholders and communities.”

Helen Clease, President of the Alberta School Boards Association

Education Week (May 5-9) provides all Albertans with an opportunity to highlight the important role education plays in shaping the future of our province. The government is committed to seeing the vision of Inspiring Education become a reality and ensuring students enter the 21st century as engaged thinkers and ethical citizens with an entrepreneurial spirit.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.