Education (Prioritizing Literacy and Numeracy) Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2) (Unproclaimed)

EDUCATION (PRIORITIZING LITERACY AND NUMERACY) AMENDMENT ACT, 2025 (NO. 2) Chapter 19 HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows: Amends SA 2012 cE‑0.3 1 The Education Act is amended by this Act. 2 Section 18(4) is amended by striking out “The Minister may” and substituting “Subject to Division 4 of this Part and the regulations, the Minister may”. 3 Section 21 is amended by adding the following after subsection (5): (5.01) Division 4 of this Part applies in respect of an early childhood services program. (5.02) For the purposes of Division 4 of this Part, a reference to a board includes a reference to a person who provides an early childhood services program. 4 Section 30 is amended by adding the following after subsection (1): (1.01) Division 4 of this Part applies to an accredited independent school, and a board referred to in Division 4 of this Part includes a person responsible for the operation of an accredited independent school. 5 The following is added after Part 2, Division 3: Division 4 Literacy and Numeracy Screening Assessments Definitions 30.1 In this Division, (a) “kindergarten” means kindergarten as defined in the regulations made under section 21; (b) “literacy and numeracy screening assessments” means assessments, provincial assessments or other methods of evaluation or screening for determining the development, ability or knowledge in literacy or numeracy, or both, of children and students in kindergarten to grade 3. Minister may establish literacy and numeracy screening assessments 30.2 (1) For the purposes of this Division, the Minister may establish literacy and numeracy screening assessments. (2) The Minister may make regulations for the purpose of subsection (1). Boards to ensure literacy and numeracy screening assessments are conducted 30.3 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a board must ensure that literacy and numeracy screening assessments established by the Minister under section 30.2 are conducted in accordance with this Division. (2) A board may exempt a child or student from literacy and numeracy screening assessments. (3) For the purpose of subsection (2), a board may collect personal information about a child or student to determine if the child or student is eligible for an exemption under this Division. (4) The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this section. Reporting to parents 30.4 (1) After a literacy and numeracy screening assessment of a child or student is conducted under section 30.3(1), a board must ensure that results of the literacy and numeracy screening assessment are reported to the parent of the child or student. (2) The Minister may make regulations for the purpose of subsection (1). Reporting to Minister 30.5 (1) After a literacy and numeracy screening assessment of a child or student is conducted under section 30.3(1), a board must ensure that results of the literacy and numeracy screening assessment, including individualized child and student results of the literacy and numeracy screening assessment, are reported to the Minister in the form and manner required by the Minister. (2) The Minister shall publish on the Government of Alberta website, or in another manner the Minister considers appropriate, an annual report of the results of the literacy and numeracy screening assessments reported under subsection (1). Provision of intervention supports 30.51 (1) Where the Minister determines that the results of a literacy and numeracy screening assessment of a child or student conducted under section 30.3(1) demonstrate that the child or student has difficulties in developing literacy or numeracy, or both, or in acquiring ability or knowledge in literacy or numeracy, or both, a board must ensure that literacy and numeracy intervention supports that will give the child or student the opportunity to develop, and acquire ability and knowledge in, literacy and numeracy (a) are provided to the child or student, or (b) continue to be provided to the child or student, if those or similar supports have been provided prior to the conduct of an assessment of the child or student under section 30.3(1). (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where the results of a third screening assessment of a child or student conducted within a single school year demonstrate the difficulties described in subsection (1), the provision of literacy and numeracy intervention supports to the child or student is permitted but not required. (3) A board shall not use the results of a literacy and numeracy screening assessment to make a determination under section 11(3) that a student is in need of specialized supports and services. Minister may request information 30.6 The Minister may request information, including personal information, in addition to the individualized child and student results provided under section 30.5(1), from boards for the purpose of overseeing the administration and operation of literacy and numeracy screening assessments under this Division, and on request the boards must provide the Minister the requested information. Regulations 30.7 The Minister may make regulations for the purposes of this Division respecting (a) the establishment and conduct of literacy and numeracy screening assessments, including the timing and frequency of literacy and numeracy screening assessments; (b) exemption from literacy and numeracy screening assessments, including the circumstances and duration of and conditions for the exemption; (c) the reporting of the results of a literacy and numeracy screening assessment to a parent under section 30.4(1), including the form and manner of reporting; (d) any other matter that the Minister considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent of this Division. 2025 c19 s5;2026 c13 s23 6 This Act comes into force on Proclamation.