First Steps
Schools are required to make every reasonable effort at the school and district level to resolve concerns collaboratively with parents. Despite these efforts if there remains a disagreement between parents and the school with a decision related to the child’s educational programming, the first step is for the parent to talk to the teacher to try to resolve the concern together. If that fails, the next step is for the parent to talk to the school principal and/or vice principal. Together with the teacher and school administration, most issues should be resolved that affect a student’s educational program.
Next Steps
Should the teacher and school administration not be able to resolve the concern with the parent, they may refer the parent to a staff member at division Central Office. If, after this step, the parent still does not agree with the Central Office staff member’s decision, the parent should write or telephone the superintendent to express their concern. If the concern is not resolved by the superintendent, the parent may apply in writing to the board chairman to initiate a board-level appeal.
The Final Step
If the parent does not agree with the Board’s decision after the board-level appeal, the parent may request in writing that the Minister of Education conduct a Review by the Minister for specific decisions. Under the School Act of the Province of Alberta, the Minister may review a Board decision on a matter that the Board and parents have not been able to solve with respect to placement in a special education program, francophone charter 23 issues, expulsion decision, home education matters, amount and payment of fees, accuracy or completeness of a student record.