Features

Applications are now being accepted from members interested in serving on ATA committees during the 2010/11 school year. The deadline for applying is April 15, 2010. (Click article title to begin your committee application)

Education Week was established more than 75 years ago to call attention to the importance of education and to show the public some of the good things happening in Alberta schools. The theme of this year’s education week is Education: The Heart of Our Communities. (Click article title for more information)

The Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Canadian Mental Health Association, with support from Global Television, are raising awareness of the mental health of children and youth. (Click article title for more information)

The Alberta Teachers' Association values effective communications and meaningful relationships between schools and the communities they serve. Nominate a school or a teacher for excellence in community relations. Deadline for applications is March 5, 2010. (Click article title for more information)

This publication is part of a strategic effort to engage Albertans in a conversation about the trends that will impact the future of public education. (Click article title for more information)

The 2010 Provincial Budget will hold the line on education spending. While deep cuts are avoided, the budget does not provide for salary increases. (Click article title for more information)

The Spring Professional Development Area Conference (PDAC) is scheduled for April 23(eve) - 24(day) 2010 at Barnett House in Edmonton. Please note that the conference will commence on Friday evening and during the day on Saturday, and will not be two full days. Invited guests will be receiving memos in March with more details.

Arbitrator Andrew Sims ruled that teachers working in the province’s public, separate and francophone schools should receive an increase amounting to 5.99 per cent, a reflection of the average increase in the weekly earnings of Albertans from 2008 to 2009. (Click article title for more information.)

Speak Out – the Alberta Student Engagement Initiative provides an opportunity for students to discuss the future of education in Alberta. The 2nd Annual Speak Out Conference, to be held in Edmonton May 14–16, 2010, brings teachers and students together to discuss ways to better support one another in their schools. (Click article title for more information)

The Association has sent an response to Alberta Education regarding a draft Technology in Education Policy. This initial response was developed via policy positions of the Association, based on contemporary educational research and supported by an existing position paper that touches on many of the issues addressed in the department’s draft policy. (Click article title for more information)

The Association has just released a synthesis of its recent research into teaching and learning conditions in Alberta’s schools. Follow the link to learn about the challenges now facing public education and about what can be done to address areas of concern.

The Minister of Education is encouraging school boards to increase teacher salaries by 4.82% in 2009/10 even though Statistics Canada Data indicates an increase of 5.99% is in order. Click the title to read about the issue and the ATA’s response.