Government and community partners worked together to develop Alberta’s 3 professional practice standards for the teaching profession. All 3 standards align with and build on each other:
The Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) describes the professional expectations for teachers who work directly with students.
The Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) outlines the professional expectations that principals and school jurisdiction leaders must demonstrate to create the conditions under which teachers can do their best work.
The Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard (SLQS) defines the professional expectations that superintendents must demonstrate to create the conditions under which school leaders and teachers can do their best work.
The standards are Ministerial Orders, making all teaching professionals accountable for their applicable standard to the Minister of Education.
Leadership Quality Standard
(of particular interest to school councils)
The Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) outlines the professional expectations that principals and school jurisdiction leaders must demonstrate to create the conditions under which teachers can do their best work.
As the Principal is a legislated member of school council, and the person in charge of administration at the school, (and the person who is the receiver of most of school councils’ work - the receiver of advice), it is imperative that school council understand the expectations of the Principal role associated with the relationship, as defined in the Leadership Quality Standard (LQS).
Competency #7, reads:
“A leader provides opportunities for members of the school community to develop leadership capacity and to support others in fulfilling their educational roles.”
One of this competency’s indicators is:
“c. promoting the engagement of parents in school council(s) and facilitating the constructive involvement of school council(s) in school life”;
In the nine competencies outlined, a comprehensive 22 indicators relate specifically to school councils and the school community (highlighted in the document link here ). This is why it is so important for members of school councils to be aware of, and understand, the LQS.
Teaching Quality Standard
The professional practice of all Alberta teachers is guided by the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS). This standard is the basis for certification of all Alberta teachers and holds them accountable to the profession and to the Minister of Education.
The TQS applies to all certificated teachers in Alberta and is aligned with the LQS and the SLQS.
The TQS:
Quality teaching occurs when the teacher’s ongoing analysis of the context, and the teacher’s decisions about which pedagogical knowledge and abilities to apply, result in optimum learning for all students.
The standard further identifies 6 competencies teachers must meet in order to hold and maintain an Alberta teaching certificate:
Fostering Effective Relationships
Engaging in Career-Long Learning
Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge
Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments
Applying Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit
