Alberta invests $100M in classroom support teams for K-12 schools

Alberta is directing $100 million toward supporting complex classrooms across the province by hiring more teachers, educational assistants, and support staff. The funding will create 221 new classroom complexity teams—158 for grades 7-12 and 63 for K-6.

Complexity teams for grades 7-12 will include one teacher and one educational assistant, with school boards able to hire two additional specialized staff as needed. K-6 teams typically include one teacher and two educational assistants to provide hands-on classroom support. All school districts in Alberta will receive at least one new team, with each board deciding how to allocate additional staff. A total of $75 million goes toward hiring the teams, with the remaining $25 million directed to staff support. Rural and remote school divisions will receive specialized funding to bring support staff to their communities.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said the investment will "strengthen classroom supports, improve safety, and give teachers and schools the tools that they need to ensure that their students succeed." The funding builds on the province's commitment to hire more than 1,400 teachers in Alberta and the creation of 476 new complexity teams in grades K-6, announced in February.

Lory Iovinelli, chair of the Calgary Catholic School District board of trustees, welcomed the announcement, saying classroom complexity has been one of her board's highest priorities. Calgary Board of Education chair Laura Hack noted the division has already hired more than 400 teachers and 215 education assistants, with more hires planned. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling called the funding welcome but overdue, noting it was a key issue in teachers' strike action last October.