Alberta mandates early reading and math screening

Summary#

This bill changes Alberta’s Education Act to require early reading and math screening for young children. It sets rules for how schools must test, report results to parents and the province, and what the Education Minister can decide by regulation.

• Requires literacy (reading) and numeracy (math) screening for children in kindergarten to grade 3.
• Applies to public school boards, early childhood services (kindergarten) providers, and accredited independent schools (private schools approved by the province).
• School boards must give the screenings, but can exempt a child in some cases.
• Schools must report each child’s results to their parent and to the Minister. The Minister must publish a yearly provincial report.
• The Minister can set the timing and frequency of tests and can ask boards for extra information, including personal information.
• Takes effect on a future date set by the government (by Proclamation).

What it means for you#

• Parents of K–3 children

  • Your child will take province-set short tests in reading and math. The schedule will be set later by the Minister.
  • You will get your child’s results after each screening.
  • A school board can exempt a child from testing, case by case. You can ask, but the board decides.
  • Your child’s individual results will also be sent to the province. The Minister may request more details about your child to oversee the program.
  • The province will publish a yearly summary of results across Alberta (not naming individual children).

• Students in kindergarten to grade 3

  • You will have new reading and math checkups at school. They may happen more than once a year.
  • Results could lead to extra help or changes to your learning plan.

• Teachers and school staff

  • You will need to run screenings, record results, report to parents, and submit data to the province.
  • You may need to adjust instruction or supports based on results.
  • You will handle exemption requests and collect limited personal information to decide on exemptions.

• School boards, ECS providers, and accredited independent schools

  • You must ensure screenings happen as required, including in kindergarten.
  • You must report individual results to parents and to the Minister, and provide additional information when asked.
  • You may exempt students and can collect personal information to decide on exemptions.
  • Expect new administrative work and potential changes to data systems and staff training.

• General public

  • You will be able to see an annual province-wide report on early reading and math screening results.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Early screening finds reading and math difficulties sooner, so children get help when it matters most.
• Common province-wide tools create consistent expectations and make it easier to compare results across schools.
• Requiring reports to parents improves communication and helps families support learning at home.
• Annual public reports increase transparency and accountability for early learning.
• Including kindergarten and independent schools closes gaps and ensures all young learners are checked.

Opponents' View#

• More testing could take time away from teaching and play-based learning, especially in kindergarten.
• Young children may feel stress from repeated tests, and scores might not capture their full abilities.
• Sending individual results and personal information to the province raises privacy concerns.
• One-size-fits-all screening may not fit diverse learners, multilingual students, or students with disabilities.
• Added reporting and data work could increase workload for teachers and school staff without extra resources.