Q & A

The right to speak

Gordon Thomas

Question: Do I represent the teaching profession when I serve on Alberta Education committees and/or mark achievement tests or diploma exams?

Answer: According to the Teaching Profession Act (TPA), the Alberta Teachers’ Association is the corporate body that represents the teaching profession. The act states: "The Association may take any measure that it considers necessary in order to give effect to any policy adopted by it to any question or matter affecting the teaching profession."

The ATA has policies on achievement testing, diploma exams and other education matters. These policies are proposed by local associations (or other subgroups), Provincial Executive Council or a representative assembly and are approved by a representative assembly. These are legitimate areas of interest to the profession, as the TPA specifically includes such objectives as "to advance and promote the cause of education in Alberta and to arouse and increase public interest in the importance of the education and public knowledge of education, financial support for education, and other education matters."

A teacher’s personal comments and actions may be interpreted by others as reflecting the teaching profession as a whole. In the past, senior officials with Alberta Education sometimes defended their lack of consultation with the profession by saying they involve classroom teachers or central office and school administrators. Representation, however, has to do with the right to speak on behalf of the teaching profession and with following through on attendant responsibilities.

For some years now, teachers have been identified by superintendents and selected by Alberta Education staff to serve on achievement test and diploma exam development and technical review committees, and to mark provincial tests and exams. As these teachers are neither selected by nor required to report to the ATA, they cannot be said to represent the teaching profession. In addition, the Code of Professional Conduct states that "the teacher makes representations on behalf of the Association or members thereof only when authorized to do so." Accordingly, teachers who serve on item development and technical review committees or who mark achievement tests or diploma examinations speak for themselves as individuals and do not speak for the teaching profession.

Questions for consideration in this column are welcome. Please address them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett House.
gthomas@teachers.ab.ca