Amid the ongoing teachers’ strike in Alberta, a significant issue at hand is class sizes. However, obtaining precise data on class sizes has become challenging as the province no longer collects specific information on this aspect.
Previously, Alberta used to release annual class size data, providing insights into the number of students per class at over 1,500 schools across the region.
However, this practice was discontinued by the newly elected UCP government in 2019. Subsequently, the government altered the per-student funding formula for school boards, transitioning from annual enrolment growth-based funding to a three-year “weighted moving average” (WMA) model.
The implementation of this new funding model in February 2020 drew criticism, particularly from larger school boards in rapidly expanding urban areas, who expressed concerns about the funding being tied to past enrolment figures.
Trisha Estabrooks, former chair of Edmonton Public Schools, highlighted the challenge posed by the new funding model, emphasizing that it hindered their ability to keep up with current student numbers.
Introduction of the New Formula During the Pandemic
The shift to the WMA funding model coincided with the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. This transition was followed by fluctuations in enrolment numbers, with a temporary decline and subsequent surge in student enrolment.
Despite the surge, many school boards faced reduced funding under the new formula due to its reliance on past enrolment data for calculations, leading to ongoing complaints regarding funding shortfalls.
According to the Elk Island Public Schools authority, the WMA model favored school divisions with declining enrolments, disadvantaging those experiencing enrolment growth.
However, the impact of this funding formula on class sizes remains unclear as the government ceased collecting class size data before the formula change.
Nevertheless, by analyzing the annual budget documents, which disclose the number of “certificated staff” positions in school boards, there is a noticeable discrepancy between the growth in teaching staff and student enrolment post-2021.
Despite the lack of direct causation, concerns have been raised by school board officials linking the WMA formula to increased class sizes and funding deficiencies.
Implementation of Another Funding Formula
In response to continued feedback, the provincial government introduced a new two-year weighted average funding formula in the 2025-26 budget to replace the previous three-year model.
The new formula focuses on the current year’s enrolment and projected enrolment for the following year, aiming to provide more responsive funding for metropolitan areas while supporting rural schools.
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides defended the change, emphasizing the enhanced flexibility it offers to school boards in making staffing decisions based on their unique requirements without the need for class size reporting.
The government’s decision to adopt the new formula follows previous concerns raised by school boards and associations about class sizes and staffing shortages.
Advocacy for Additional Teaching Staff
The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has been vocal about the need for additional teaching staff to address the accumulated shortages in the province. ATA president Jason Schilling stressed the requirement for over 5,000 new teachers to meet pupil-teacher ratio recommendations outlined in a 2003 provincial report.
While detailed class-size reporting was discontinued in 2019, some school divisions like Edmonton Public Schools continue to monitor this data, indicating that class sizes remain above recommended levels.
Despite challenges in obtaining precise figures, there have been widespread accounts from educators, students, and parents suggesting that class sizes exceed recommended thresholds.
Experts emphasize the significance of transparent data on class sizes in the education system to assess performance indicators effectively and ensure accountability in a democratic society.