Alberta looks to Saskatchewan model for classroom complexity supports

Alberta has committed to add classroom complexity teams to 476 elementary schools and says the plan draws on Saskatchewan’s specialized support classrooms and complexity teachers, which officials say have added hundreds of staff; Alberta has not set a hiring timeline and says it will outline a separate approach for secondary schools later.

Alberta has announced a plan to add classroom complexity teams to 476 elementary schools and says the policy draws on an approach used in Saskatchewan. The move followed a provincewide contract dispute with teachers and a cabinet review of class size and classroom complexity. Saskatchewan introduced specialized support classrooms, contract-guaranteed complexity teachers and pilot teams in recent years. Officials report those measures led to more staff and an expansion plan in Saskatchewan. Key facts: - Alberta announced funding for complexity teams in 476 elementary schools but has not set a timeline for hiring, and officials classified about five per cent of classrooms as "high needs." - Saskatchewan now has both specialized support classrooms and contract provisions for complexity teachers; provincial and union figures differ, and officials describe the result as hundreds of additional staff. - Premier Danielle Smith said Alberta’s plan is informed by Saskatchewan’s model and that a separate approach for junior and senior high schools will be announced later. Summary: Alberta is adopting elements of Saskatchewan’s approach in response to concerns about growing classroom complexity and teacher workload, with the initial phase focused on elementary schools. Saskatchewan officials and the teachers’ federation report increased staffing and fewer classroom disruptions, though reported staffing totals differ between parties. Alberta has not provided a hiring timeline for its complexity teams and has said it will present a plan for secondary schools at a later date.