Advancing Advocacy
Advocacy is a critical component of ASBA’s work to foster positive relationships with government and ensure the voice of member school boards is heard and reflected in all emerging education priorities.
Areas of Focus
- Emerging member needs
- Emerging government priorities
- Building relationships
Advocacy Strategy and Position Statements
Advocacy Strategy
ASBA’s 2022-2023 Advocacy Strategy guided the development of all priority actions and initiatives undertaken by ASBA’s Advocacy Committee, with the goal of influencing decision-making and having a positive impact on the education system.
The guiding principles were:
- Membership-driven
- Creating unity
- Responsiveness
- Common understanding
- Continuous improvement
The areas of focus were:
- Emerging member needs
- Emerging government priorities
- Building relationships
Position Statements
Additionally, ASBA’s General Meetings are an opportunity for trustees to network, learn, participate in association business and vote on position statements that inform ASBA’s provincial advocacy on behalf of members. Read full details on position statements passed at General Meetings here:
www.asba.ab.ca/news/
Fall General Meeting 2022 Position Statements
During the business session of the Fall General Meeting, position statements on the following topics were passed:
- Effects of New and Changing Legislation on School Boards
- Shared Responsibilities to Students Standards for Special Education (Amended 2004)
- Shared Responsibilities to Students (Child and Youth Wellbeing Review Report)
- September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Opposition to Voucher System
- Provincial Direction Regarding Mask Mandates Within School Divisions
Spring General Meeting 2023 Position Statements
During the business session of the Spring General Meeting, position statements on the following topics were passed:
- Equitable funding for displaced students, refugee students and refugee claimants
- Per student per subject curriculum implementation funding
- Curriculum advocacy
Advocacy Initiatives
MLA Breakfast
Generative Discussion
Provincial Government Feedback and Representation
- The removal of Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for Class 2 licences while still ensuring the safety of students
- High school diploma exam weighting
- Funding for student mental health challenges and learning loss
- Early release of the funding manual and operational funding profiles
- Investments in enrolment growth
- Student transportation
- Professional development and resources for curriculum implementation
- Provincial Budget 2023
media statements, interviews, government press conferences and opinion pieces
Collaborating with Education Partners and Stakeholders
Canadian School Boards Association
As a member of the Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA), ASBA participates in national meetings with our inter-provincial associations to learn about education issues and trends and advocate together on the national stage.
Through our collaboration with CSBA, ASBA has extended our advocacy work at the national level with meetings with federal ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators to advocate on education priorities.
Provincial Partners and Stakeholders
ASBA continued to regularly connect with education partners, fraternal organizations and other stakeholders.
- Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association
- Alberta Municipalities
- Association of School Business Officials of Alberta
- Alberta School Councils’ Association
- Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan
- Alberta Teachers Association
- College of Alberta School Superintendents
- Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta
- Fédération des conseils scolaires francophones de l’Alberta
- Rural Municipalities of Alberta
Additionally, ASBA created the Fraternal Collaboration Group (Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association; Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta; Fédération des conseils scolaires francophones de l’Alberta) to enable these organizations to exchange ideas, share information and learn together to support the enhancement of education at all levels, to the benefit of school boards.
Provincial Election Advocacy
During this reporting period, ASBA focused advocacy efforts on supporting members in the lead up to, during, and after the 2023 provincial election.
This included the development of a comprehensive election advocacy strategy including the United Conservative Party (UCP) leadership race in 2022, the provincial election in 2023 and beyond to:
- Establish relationships with elected officials
- Promote the importance of continuous support of the education system
- Elevate the profile of school boards and the value they add
as the voice of education
Engagements with Candidates and Party Leaders
During the United Conservative Party leadership race, ASBA engaged with leadership candidates to understand their vision as it related to school boards and education.
As a non-partisan association, ASBA invited political party leaders from the Alberta Party, New Democratic Party and United Conservative Party to share their election platform and education priorities in advance of the 2023 Alberta provincial election.
Questions posed were informed by feedback from ASBA’s member school boards.
Priorities
Funding
Capital Planning
Cross-Ministerial Supports
Transportation
Impact in Action
Election Advocacy Priorities
ASBA member school boards play a central role in ensuring decisions that affect students most are made by those who know them best. This includes providing access to quality educational opportunities regardless of students’ background or circumstances.
ASBA held engagements with members to gather feedback regarding election advocacy priorities, as well as provided the opportunity for members to engage with political analysts to hear valuable insights regarding polls and the provincial election.
Election Advocacy Toolkit
Informed by member input, ASBA developed a cohesive election advocacy toolkit to prepare members to engage with local candidates in the lead-up to, and during, the provincial election.
This included a Government Relations Guide; coordinated engagement-communication approach; stakeholder meeting package; infographic examples; key messaging for election priorities; and, a social/media campaign in the lead-up to the election.
Continued Collaboration Post-Election
Guided by our provincial election advocacy strategy, ASBA represented our members’ diverse viewpoints while advancing education priorities.
Following the provincial election and the swearing in of the new cabinet, ASBA prioritized building relationships with Premier Smith; the new cabinet, including the Minister of Education, the Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides; and, government officials.
ASBA was pleased to meet with the Minister of Education, to discuss education priorities and looks forward to continued collaboration with government on strategies to benefit all Alberta students.
