ST. PAUL – The Government of Alberta has cancelled Grade 6 English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) and Mathematics Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) for the 2023/24 school year, which is a relief for some educators who have been busy with teaching new curriculum to students.
The Government of Alberta announced the cancellations in March.
There has been a lot of anxiety and stress for teachers trying to teach the curriculum for the first time, while preparing students for the PATs at the same time, said Keith Gamblin, associate superintendent of learning at St. Paul Education, during the April 10 board meeting.
“I know Alberta has been working hard to try to develop those exams, but it sounds like they weren’t going to be ready in time. So, they made the decision at the end of March to cancel them,” added Gamblin.
“So, a bit of a relief I think, for teachers out there... working hard and navigating the new curriculum and doing the best they can to get students as far along as they can.”
The provincial government is offering optional field testing until June, to “help inform the development of future PATs for Grade 6 in ELAL and Mathematics that align with new curriculum in these subjects,” according to the Government of Alberta website.
Science also has a new curriculum this year for Grades 4 to 6, and Gamblin says they are still piloting Grade 6 students with the new curriculum. So, students are also exempt from the Science 6 PAT.
“This means, this year, Grade 6 [students] will only be writing Social Studies [PAT],” explained Gamblin.
