The Alberta Teachers’ Association

A taskforce with no voice for the teaching profession

Question: Why is the Alberta Teachers’ Association not represented on the Task Force for Teaching Excellence?

Answer: The appointment of the Task Force for Teaching Excellence was a surprise to the Association (and, we understand, to Alberta Education, too). The task force members were handpicked by the minister of education, and assistance provided to the task force (normally handled within the government) has been contracted to an outside firm.

While the taskforce’s mandate purports to be supporting teacher excellence and resources to achieve that goal, in reality the task force’s report will relate to the professional functions of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Somehow the study of how to support teacher excellence requires an examination of the legislated responsibilities of the Association, including our statutory responsibilities to police the conduct of teachers and to address questions of professional practice quality through a practice review process. Given the mandate and the survey questionnaire used by the task force, it’s clear that some of the following actions are being contemplated: gutting the ATA of its professional functions and establishing a college of teachers (similar to the failed model in British Columbia), removing principals from the Association, establishing a class of master teachers (possibly related to the minister’s publicly expressed interest in merit pay) and eliminating restrictions on the employer’s ability to terminate the employment of teachers (for example, removal of the Board of Reference). So in answer to your question—if the minister’s goal is to weaken protections and rights of teachers, it only stands to reason that the Association would not be named to the task force.

The Association is monitoring the situation and will be making a submission to the task force. I have received much feedback from teachers who are angry at the minister’s decision not to include the Association on the task force. Local presidents will be fully briefed later this month, and we have begun plans for active member engagement in the weeks ahead. ❚

Questions for consideration in this column are welcome. Please address them to Gordon Thomas at Barnett House (gordon.thomas@ata.ab.ca).