To meet this challenge head on, Alberta's government is proposing amendments to the Education Act that will prioritize reading and math screeners and ensure students that need extra help get the attention they need as early as possible. The amendments would require school boards and independent early childhood services (ECS) operators to:
- Conduct reading and math screenings for all students in kindergarten to Grade 3.
- Share screening results with parents to keep families informed and involved.
- Provide screening data to the department and make results available to the Ministry of Education and Childcare.
"Alberta's classrooms are more complex than ever, and our teachers need the right tools to support every student. By identifying learning needs early, these screeners will help us address complexity head on and ensure that children with diverse and complex needs get the help they need to thrive."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare
Screenings are short, simple activities that assess a student's everyday reading and math skills to help identify where additional support may be needed. These screenings will help schools quickly identify students who need extra help with reading and math, before small knowledge gaps turn into bigger challenges that contribute to classroom complexity. By making screening a requirement, Alberta will ensure all schools follow the same process and act quickly to support students who need it.
Data from the screeners will also support provincewide efforts to understand and respond to complexity, complementing initiatives like the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team and the province's investment in classroom support staff.
"These two foundational skills are the cornerstones of every student's learning journey. They are not just subjects; they are gateways to understanding, problem-solving and lifelong success. Strong literacy and numeracy skills empower students to think critically, to engage fully in their communities and to adapt to an ever-changing world."
Michael McMann, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents
By moving existing screening requirements from policy into legislation and adding a new obligation to report results to parents, Alberta's government is reinforcing its commitment to building students' foundational skills, enhancing transparency and ensuring parents are informed and engaged in their child's learning.
"Dyslexia Canada welcomes Alberta's plan to introduce legislation requiring early reading screening for all students. Early screening is an essential part of an equitable approach to literacy instruction. When it is paired with time, training and support for teachers, it strengthens the education system's ability to identify and respond to student needs, ensuring that children who require extra help learning to read receive it. Legislating this practice is an important step toward making sure that early screening becomes a lasting part of how we support every child's right to learn to read."
Alicia Smith, executive director, Dyslexia Canada
Quick facts
- If passed, all legislative requirements would come into effect for the 2026-27 school year and would apply to public, separate, francophone, charter and accredited independent school authorities and independent ECS operators.
- In the 2022-23 school year, literacy and numeracy screenings became mandatory for students in grades 1 to 3.
- In 2024-25, the province enhanced screening requirements by introducing:
- fall and winter screenings for all students in grades 1 to 3, with a spring follow-up screening for those needing extra support
- mandatory winter screenings for all kindergarten children
- Under the proposed amendments, screenings for students in kindergarten to Grade 3 will continue to be administered within set three-week windows, following the same administration schedule.
- Budget 2025 includes $11 million to support math and reading instruction, with funding increasing to $13 million in 2026-27 and $15 million in 2027-28.
- Since 2021, Alberta's government has invested $92.5 million to help students strengthen foundational reading and math skills.
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