Alberta Plans Mandatory K-3 Literacy Numeracy Screenings Education Bill

The Alberta government has introduced Bill 6, a legislative amendment to make literacy and numeracy screenings mandatory for all students from kindergarten to Grade 3, aiming to identify learning challenges early and provide targeted support. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides emphasized that the screenings would help teachers address learning difficulties before they escalate, ensuring foundational skills in reading and math are strengthened. The bill would require schools to report screening results to both parents and the education ministry, with annual public reporting mandated and the minister holding regulatory authority over the assessments. Critics, including the Alberta Teachers’ Association and education experts, caution against over-reliance on testing and argue that more classroom resources and smaller class sizes are needed rather than additional standardized tests. The government maintains that codifying the screenings into law will standardize assessments across the province and keep focus on early learning priorities, building on tests first introduced in 2022. Supporters like Dyslexia Canada highlight early screening as a key step toward equitable literacy instruction.