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Parallel and Equivalent Accountability |
| Area or Focus of Requirement |
Expectation of Accredited Private Schools
Compared to Public Authorities |
| Alberta Program of Study |
Equivalent: Both public
and accredited private schools are required to deliver the provincially approved,
Alberta Program of Study. Private schools' exemption from implementing sex education
under the Human Sexuality Education Directive is not significantly different from
the Directive's recognition of the right of public school parents to exempt their
children from participating in sex education components of courses or programs. |
| Transmission of values necessary to
a pluralistic and democratic society |
Equivalent: Both public
and accredited private schools' delivery of education must support students' development
of respect for cultural diversity and the common values of Canada's democratic society
and allow students to demonstrate desirable personal characteristics, like honesty,
caring and commitment to democratic ideas. |
| Standards of Student Achievement |
Equivalent: Both public
and accredited private schools must: ensure that students enrolled in the schools
have sufficient opportunity to achieve, to an acceptable level, provincial learning
outcomes; develop, keep current and implement written student evaluation policies
consistent with provincial policy, regulation and procedure; and, use provincial achievement
and diploma examinations and report provincial grade 3, 6 and 9 achievement tests
and grade 12 examination results |
| Ministerial Evaluation and Monitoring |
Equivalent: Accredited
private schools must agree to "regular evaluation and monitoring by the Minister,"
whereas public authorities are subject to the Minister's authority to inquire into
a broad range of matters. |
| Health, Safety and Building Standards
of School Facilities |
Equivalent: Accredited
private schools like public facilities must meet Alberta building, health and safety
standards for school buildings. |
| Maintenance of Student Enrolment and
Attendance |
Equivalent with minor Exceptions:
Both accredited private schools and public schools are required to gather and maintain
a substantial amount of student enrolment and attendance data. The exceptions concern
information applicable to the rights of a student to be taught in French and, given
the small size of private schools, the exemption from the requirement to name a FOIPP
Act coordinator. |
| Employment of Certificated Teachers
and School Principals |
Equivalent: Both accredited
private schools and public schools must employ as teachers and school principals only
individuals who hold valid teacher certification. Similarly, the Teacher Growth, Supervision
and Evaluation Policy applies to both public and private school authorities, and teaching
practice and teacher conduct matters also are governed under provincial legislation. |
| Hours of Student Access to Instruction |
Equivalent: Both accredited
private schools and public schools are required to provide identical hours of instruction. |
| Not-for-Profit Operation |
Equivalent: Both accredited
private schools, whether operated by a society or corporation, and public schools
operate on a not for profit basis. |
| Parent and Community Governance |
Equivalent: Policy directions
for both public and private schools are set by parent and community governing bodies.
Public schools are required to have in place school councils. Similarly, private schools
where parents do not form the majority of members of the governing board must have
in place parent advisory councils. |
| Operate in a Manner Respectful of the
Dignity and Safety of Students |
Equivalent: Public schools
are required to provide a safe and caring learning environment and to make and implement
policies in this regard. Accredited private schools are required to act similarly
and make rules for the discipline of students that incorporate principles of fundamental
justice. |
| Planning, Reporting and Accountability
for Purposes of Improving the Quality of Education |
Equivalent: Both public
and accredited private schools are required to compile, assess and report substantively
the same kinds of information in developing Three Year Education Plans and Annual
Education Results Reports to be used for purposes of further improving the quality
of education provided to students. |
| Accountability for public education
dollars |
Equivalent: Both public
and accredited private schools are required to provide audited financial statements
and demonstrate that public monies are used for the purposes intended. |
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