If passed, the Education Amendment Act, 2024, would strengthen the ties between parents and their child’s education by providing more transparency, clarity and consistency in their child’s education and school community so students can continue to learn and grow. The proposed amendments will help parents and students navigate complex conversations around gender identity, sexual orientation, and human sexuality, while also supporting a student’s education during public health and states of emergencies.
“All Alberta students should be given every opportunity to succeed in their studies and their lives. The changes we’re proposing put students first while supporting the important parent-child relationship. From kindergarten through grade 12, students and their families will be able to rely on consistent and compassionate care from both their school and our government.”
“After hearing from parents and more than 250 education stakeholders including teachers, superintendents and school boards, we’re proposing amendments that will increase transparency, clarity and consistency in the education system. These amendments will promote student success and well-being by setting clear direction for our education partners to keep families informed while navigating complex conversations as well as public health and states of emergency.”
Consent and notification of preferred name and pronoun changes
The top priority of Alberta’s government is that every student feels welcomed, cared for, safe and respected while at school. The proposed amendments would provide clarity and promote consistency for students, parents and teachers as a child or youth is navigating their gender identity or sexual orientation. As part of the proposed amendments, schools would be required to:
- notify parents and seek their consent for a student 15 years old and under if they request that school staff refer to them by a new gender-related preferred name or pronouns at school.
- notify parents of a 16 or 17-year-old student’s request for school staff to refer to them by a new gender-related preferred name or pronouns at school.
Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring youth and their families receive the support they may need during this time of critical growth and self-discovery. If parental notification is expected to result in psychological or emotional harm to the student, or if a student requests assistance, the school board would ensure the student receives assistance prior to notifying parents. Supports could include guidance counsellors or social workers, which do not require parental consent to access. Additional mental health support could be accessed following parental consent.
Parental notification and opt-in requirements
Where teaching or instructional materials that deal primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality are provided, parents would be notified of what is being taught at least 30 days in advance and be given the opportunity to opt-in rather than opt-out of this instruction.
This new model would ensure parents are notified in advance and have the information needed to make an informed decision on whether specific topics are appropriate and fit the needs of their child and family. This change will also create more transparency in what is being taught in the classroom to ensure parents have the opportunity to identify if there is a particular subject matter they wish to supplement in conversations with their child outside of the classroom.
“The Fort Vermilion School Division has always prioritized keeping parents informed about their child's education. As key stakeholders in our system, we are dedicated to ensuring that parents can make the best choices for their children as we address new legislation.”
“I am pleased to see Alberta’s government strengthen the ties behind parents and their child’s education. This will help me better support the needs of my children throughout their entire education.”
Approval of materials related to human sexuality, gender identity and sexual orientation
If passed, the Act would empower the Ministry of Education to approve learning and teaching resources and external presenters for topics dealing primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality. This would create greater transparency on what resources are being used to teach sensitive topics, which third-parties are presenting to students, and provide greater assurance that learning and teaching resources are appropriate and relevant to the curriculum.
Alberta’s government would work with education partners to develop the approval process for external resources and materials, examine how learning and teaching resources are selected and delivered, and would identify the most appropriate resources to support instruction on these topics.
Education continuity during public health and states of emergencies
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on Alberta families, students and staff across the education system. Evidence shows that disruptions brought on by the pandemic had negative impacts on students’ learning and social-emotional development. To protect students’ learning and well-being, Alberta’s government is introducing amendments that respond to recommendations from the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review panel in order to reinforce the importance of education and establish clear expectations for education continuity during future public health or states of emergencies.
Following the recommendations of the Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel, proposed amendments in the Education Amendment Act, 2024 would establish a new right to education for students during a state of emergency, including a public health emergency. These amendments would also ensure parents are notified and could make decisions about non-routine health measures that would apply to their child in school during an emergency by requiring school authorities to obtain their consent.
Should the legislation pass, further amendments to related regulations would provide school administrators with more clarity and guidance on expectations for learning during emergencies. Changes would require school authorities to develop and communicate policies to parents and families related to temporarily transitioning to at-home learning, including accommodations, rationale and continuity of learning plans so they are able to support their child’s education during uncertain times.
In response to both the panel’s recommendations and feedback from education partners, the proposed regulatory amendments would also mean that shifts to at-home learning of three or fewer school days would no longer require a Ministerial Order in certain emergencies.
If passed, the legislation and regulatory amendments for education continuity during public health and states of emergencies would be expected to come into force January 1, 2025, except the sections regarding school authority policies, which would come into effect on September 1, 2025. All other amendments to the Education Act would come into effect on proclamation, which is anticipated for September 1, 2025.
Quick facts
- Alberta Education engaged with approximately 250 stakeholders including school boards, parents and teacher representatives, superintendents, mental health organizations and other education stakeholders on the proposed gender identity, sexual orientation and human sexuality policies.
- The Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel was established to review the legislation and governance guiding Alberta’s response to COVID-19 and to make recommendations to improve the handling of future public health emergencies.
- The panel’s November 2023 report included several recommendations relevant to Alberta Education, given the impacts to in-person education that occurred during the pandemic.
- If passed, the Education Amendment Act, 2024 would apply to public, separate, public charter, francophone and private (independent) schools and their students.
- Youth and young adults can call or text Kids Help Phone for 24-7 support, information, and referrals to services.
- Alberta’s government has also partnered with Counselling Alberta to provide same-day access to counselling across the province.
- Counselling Alberta receives nearly $4 million from the province annually, which will increase to $8 million annually next year.
- This funding will partially support the delivery of services for youth identifying as transgender and their families as they work through these difficult and complex discussions.
Related information
- Supporting Alberta Students and Families
- Public Health Emergencies Governance Review Panel
- Bill 27: Education Amendment Act, 2024