Dispute Resolution

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.