Program Purpose
Alberta Education states that "Knowledge and Employability courses (herein referred to as "K&E") are available to students in grades 8 through 12 who meet a given jurisdiction's suggested enrolment criteria". The courses provide students with opportunities to experience success and become well-prepared for employment, engaged citizenship, and life-long learning" (p. 2). Students also have the opportunity to continue into post-secondary studies, either directly into a limited number of trades programs in Alberta or after upgrading high school courses.
As noted by Alberta Education, "school authorities are to ensure that students are enrolled in courses that are appropriate to their highest level of academic success. Enrolment in the Certificate of High School Achievement should only be considered after full consultation with the student's parents or guardians. If there is no agreement by parents/guardians for their child to participate in Knowledge and Employability courses, all efforts will be made to ensure that the student is on the path to achieve the Alberta High School Diploma" (p. 3).
K&E programming is designed for students who:
- "Achieve success through experiential learning activities that
- require focus on reading, writing, mathematical literacy, and employability skills in occupational contexts
- provide practical applications and connections to the home, community, and workplace" (p. 3)
Overview
Like in all programming, students in K&E must have their individual strengths and learning needs considered to ensure their best success. Each student enrolled in K&E programming will have an Individualized Support Plan to address their unique learning needs.
The K&E courses are aligned with other grade-level programs of study. "Every effort [will] be made to successfully transition students from [K&E] courses to other junior high or senior high courses that support the attainment of an Alberta High School Diploma. In addition, students may have access to other courses to successfully transition into continuing education and other training opportunities (e.g., appropriate college courses and/or apprenticeship programs)" (p. 3).
Based on an annual review of learning needs, each year the student will be reconsidered for K&E to ensure it is the most appropriate educational setting. Families and students must acknowledge that if a student transitions from K&E to senior high school courses, they may require more than the traditional three years to complete their Alberta High School Diploma.
Enrolment Criteria
Students can be recommended for K&E programming by the school. The school must have evidence that the students' needs are better addressed through K&E programming as opposed to accommodation or differentiation in the mainstream classroom. Students enrolling in K&E programming must meet the following criteria:
- Below grade level achievement - as identified by report cards, classroom assessments, Grade 6 and 9 PAT results, and screeners. It may also include reviewing available formal assessment data (e.g., Psychological Educational Assessments and Level B assessments).
AND
- Use of accommodations to adapt the curriculum has not been successful – this should be documented and routinely evaluated through a history of Individualized Support Plans (ISPs).
AND
The students' academic challenges are not due to either of the following:
- Significant social, emotional, and behavioural concerns
- English Language proficiency concerns
- Significant attendance concerns
Process for Enrolment
The decision to put students forth for K&E programming is made at the school level. Schools will adhere to the following procedure:
Gather and analyze data - Schools will consult with a variety of data sources in making their decision to explore K&E programming for a student. This includes reviewing report cards, classroom assessments, Grade 6 and 9 PAT results and screeners, and may include reviewing available formal assessment data (e.g., Psychological Educational Assessments, Level B assessment).
Submit application on SharePoint - The school Learning Support Teacher (LST) will submit the application for K&E via SharePoint, which will automatically produce a parent package and consent form.
Meet with families - Schools will meet with the student's family to discuss their reasoning for and the implications of K&E programming. The family must be given the opportunity to ask questions about the students' programming options. The family must provide written informed consent for the student to be enrolled in K&E programming.
Consent forms to the Assistant Superintendent (Support Services) - All consent forms must be forwarded to the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services before the student is enrolled in K&E programming.
Ongoing and annual consent - Schools must review progress and programming for all students in K&E each spring. Schools must obtain annual written informed consent annually in the spring. These consents are uploaded to the student's digital records.
Adapted from Alberta Education "Knowledge and Employability Courses Workbook"