With new data from 89,000 classrooms across 1,549 schools, Alberta now has more insight into class size and complexity in classrooms. Although the data shows that average class sizes in Alberta are largely within acceptable ranges, it also confirms that composition and complexity is growing rapidly.
Using this data, the Alberta government will invest $143 million to establish 476 complexity teams, comprising one teacher and two educational assistants, and dispatching them to 476 K-6 schools. Complexity teams will work to support the diverse needs of students including academic, behavioural, social, emotional or other. This can include helping students learn English, managing disruptive students or helping coded students with more enrichment. These teams will provide in-class assistance to teachers.
Early intervention and foundational stability are the primary benefits of placing complexity teams in K-6 schools. Research indicates that addressing student needs during the formative K-6 years is more effective and less costly than attempting to remediate behavioral or academic gaps in secondary school. By integrating these teams directly into elementary environments, schools can identify challenges at the earliest possible stage, preventing minor delays from becoming permanent learning barriers.
