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.