Non Partisan Association

The NPA's education platform addresses governance, scheduling, curriculum, and student support through evidence-based reforms. These policies prioritize educational equity, student wellbeing, and system efficiency.

Policy Priorities

Initiative	Objective
Centralized Governance	Provincial curriculum authority with municipal facility management
School Board Elimination	Principals as primary parent contact point
10:00 AM Start Time	Align secondary schedules with adolescent sleep cycles
Curriculum Revision	Collaborative K-12 curriculum development
Volunteer Tuition Program	300 service hours for final-year tuition coverage
Universal School Meals	Nutrition program for all K-12 students

Centralized School System (European Model)

The NPA supports transitioning to provincial governance of curriculum and standards, modelled on European educational systems:

• Provincial Curriculum Authority: Unified educational standards ensuring consistent quality across all Alberta communities
• Municipal Facility Management: Local governments responsible for building maintenance and operations
• School-Level Parent Councils: Direct engagement between parents and principals replacing board-level representation

School Board Elimination

The NPA proposes eliminating local school trustees, establishing principals as the primary contact for parent concerns. This streamlined structure improves communication efficiency while maintaining meaningful parental input at the school level.

Later Start Times for Secondary Students

Classes for students in Grades 7-12 would begin at 10:00 AM, aligning with adolescent circadian rhythms. Research demonstrates improved health outcomes, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced academic performance when secondary schedules accommodate teenage sleep patterns.

Curriculum Development

Comprehensive K-12 curriculum revision developed collaboratively with parents, teachers, and academic experts—ensuring content reflects both educational best practices and community values.

Student Volunteer Program

Post-secondary students completing 300 hours of volunteer service at senior care facilities receive government coverage for their final year of tuition. This voluntary program addresses senior isolation while reducing student debt. For program details, see the Student Volunteer Program article.

Universal School Lunch Program

Comprehensive nutrition support for all students K-12:

• Elementary (K-6): Hot meals prepared on-site or delivered to schools
• Secondary (7-12): Portable meals accommodating varied schedules

Universal provision eliminates stigma, ensures no student goes hungry, and improves concentration and learning outcomes.

Class Size and Composition Management

The NPA supports evidence-based strategies for optimizing classroom learning environments:

Rotational Scheduling

Dividing classes into smaller groups for intensive instruction in core subjects while other students engage in physical education or arts programming. Reduced group sizes improve individualized attention and student participation.

Peer Learning Programs

Training high-achieving students as peer tutors to support classmates, while assigning classroom responsibilities to students reduces administrative burden on teachers and develops student leadership skills.

Collaborative Teaching Models

Combining classes for team-teaching allows one instructor to deliver content while the second provides individualized support. This model improves student-teacher ratios during complex instruction.

Strategic Group Composition

Forming heterogeneous learning groups with designated roles (facilitator, recorder, researcher) promotes collaborative problem-solving and reduces individual teacher intervention requirements.

Technology-Assisted Assessment

Digital assessment tools provide immediate feedback on formative assessments, reducing teacher grading workload and allowing more time for direct instruction and student support.

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

The NPA proposes cost-neutral strategies to recruit and retain qualified educators across urban and rural Alberta:

Strategy	Implementation
Community Teacher Pathways	Support local residents (educational assistants, community members) in obtaining teaching credentials
Remote Instruction Networks	Video-linked specialist instruction serving multiple schools simultaneously
Housing Partnerships	Government-community partnerships providing subsidized teacher housing
Accelerated Advancement	Priority professional development for teachers in high-need positions
Flexible Scheduling	Compressed school weeks reducing commuting costs and improving work-life balance
Location-Based Recruitment	Marketing school positions based on community lifestyle attributes
Mentorship Programs	Pairing new teachers with experienced educators in their school community
Placement Optimization	Matching teacher preferences and strengths with school community needs

Performance Recognition System

Modelled on Singapore and South Korean education systems, the NPA proposes a Performance and Persistence Bonus program:

• Recognition Criteria: Teachers demonstrating exceptional student outcomes or innovative programming nominated for Outstanding Educator designation
• Sabbatical Benefit: Recipients receive paid professional development leave to pursue advanced training and research
• Cost Neutrality: Temporary replacement at entry-level salary covers sabbatical costs through salary differential

This recognition system elevates the teaching profession while incentivizing long-term career commitment to Alberta schools.

Special Education Support

The NPA supports cost-neutral strategies to improve educational outcomes for students with diverse learning needs:

Resource Optimization

• Universal Design Training: Focused professional development on inclusive instructional design serving all learners simultaneously
• Family-School Communication: Digital platforms facilitating consistent strategy sharing between home and school environments
• Administrative Streamlining: Standardized digital documentation reducing paperwork burden and increasing direct instruction time

Collaborative Support Models

• Peer Tutoring Programs: Trained student tutors providing supplementary instruction while reinforcing their own learning
• Co-Teaching Integration: Combining specialist and general education teachers in shared classrooms for flexible small-group instruction
• Community Partnerships: Collaboration with libraries, community organizations, and volunteers for extended learning support

Categories of Educational Support

Alberta schools provide specialized support across diverse learning profiles:

• Autism Spectrum: Students requiring structured communication and social skills support
• Learning Disabilities: Students with specific skill challenges including dyslexia and dyscalculia
• Attention and Behavioral Needs: Students requiring executive function support and emotional regulation strategies
• Sensory Impairments: Students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have low vision
• Physical and Medical Needs: Students requiring adaptive equipment or health accommodations
• Gifted and Talented: Students requiring accelerated or enriched programming

Specialized School Expansion

The NPA supports expanding dedicated special education facilities with specialized staff and resources, improving outcomes for students with intensive needs while reducing classroom teacher workload in general education settings.

Learning Support Quality

The NPA supports cost-neutral strategies to enhance classroom support and reduce educator burnout:

Strategy	Implementation
Collaborative Teaching Teams	Teachers and assistants share student cohorts, deploying expertise flexibly across academic and behavioral support
Community Apprenticeships	Training local residents as educational assistants through on-the-job certification programs
Cross-Age Peer Support	Older students trained to provide academic tutoring and social connection for younger students
Independence Scaffolding	Assistants trained to promote student self-advocacy and problem-solving before intervention
Self-Regulation Spaces	Designated classroom areas for student emotional regulation reducing behavioral escalation
Classroom Micro-Grants	Teacher discretionary funding for innovative programming, improving autonomy and job satisfaction

Parental Rights and Curriculum Transparency

The NPA proposes a framework balancing parental involvement, curriculum transparency, and student safety, drawing from international best practices:

Framework Element	Model Source	Application
Best Interests Standard	UK, Malta	Schools may delay parental notification when student safety is at documented risk
Content-Specific Opt-In	Sweden, Germany	Separate consent for biological health education versus social identity discussions
Independent Review Panels	Australia	Multi-disciplinary committees (educators, medical professionals, parents) review curriculum materials
Safety-First Curriculum	UNESCO	Child protection and body safety education framed within abuse prevention context
Resource Transparency	Various US States	Online repository providing 24/7 parental access to approved classroom materials

Specialized LGBTQ+ Educational Environments

The NPA supports establishing dedicated LGBTQ+ schools providing affirming educational environments. Research-supported benefits include:

• Physical and Emotional Safety: Reduced exposure to bullying and harassment enabling academic focus
• Specialized Mental Health Resources: Counselors trained in challenges specific to gender and sexual minority youth
• Representative Curriculum: LGBTQ+ history, literature, and role models fostering identity affirmation
• Targeted Guidance Services: Counselors experienced in family dynamics, identity development, and post-secondary planning
• Academic Achievement: Research-documented correlation between affirming environments and educational outcomes
• Community Integration: Schools serving as hubs connecting families with advocacy organizations and support networks
• Leadership Development: Affirming environments supporting student confidence and self-advocacy skills
• Comprehensive Health Education: Inclusive curriculum addressing health needs relevant to diverse identities

STEM Program Expansion

The NPA supports comprehensive expansion of STEM education across Alberta schools:

Benefit Category	Outcome
Social Innovation	Technical skills addressing sustainable energy, healthcare technology, and public sector challenges
Economic Preparation	Workforce readiness for Alberta's expanding technology sector
Collaborative Skills	Teamwork and multidisciplinary problem-solving mirroring professional environments
Evidence-Based Decision Making	Data analysis and inquiry-based learning developing critical thinking
Equity and Access	Removing barriers to STEM participation for underrepresented groups
Entrepreneurial Development	Innovation mindset supporting startups and social enterprises
Accelerated Pathways	Dual-credit opportunities for post-secondary advancement
Global Competitiveness	World-class preparation attracting international investment and talent

Innovative Educational Strategies

The NPA supports adopting proven international educational approaches:

Phenomena-Based Learning (Finland)

Interdisciplinary instruction organized around real-world challenges. Students apply mathematics, science, and communication skills to address complex problems such as environmental sustainability, integrating multiple subject areas within practical contexts.

Micro-Credentialing (European Model)

Industry-recognized skill certifications earned during K-12 education. Students demonstrate specific competencies (web development, mechanical skills, digital media) through documented credentials, providing verified qualifications for employment upon graduation.

Human Skills Development (Singapore)

Focused instruction on capabilities uniquely human in an automated economy: leadership, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving. These competencies complement technical education for workforce adaptability.

Entrepreneurship Education (United Kingdom)

Project-based learning where students identify community problems and develop solution proposals presented to business mentors. This approach develops innovation skills, business literacy, and community engagement through practical application.