Alberta School Council Engagement (ASCE) Grant

To better understand how Alberta School Council Engagement (ASCE) grants are used a survey was prepared by the Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) Fund Development Committee and distributed through ASCA’s distribution network on September 26, 2024, and closed on October 28th, 2024. The survey was also promoted on the ASCA Social Media accounts. Download the PDF Results Report to the ASCA Board.

Through the Alberta School Council Engagement Grant, each school council receives $500 to support individual school councils and strengthen engagement with parents. More

Funding of $500 to individual school councils is provided through the Funding Manual for School Authorities. Alberta Education provides the funding to School Divisions who provide each of their school councils with the $500.

Funding Manual for School Authorities 2024/25 School Year

Section G2 – Alberta School Council Engagement (ASCE) Grant (page 148-150)

This grant provides funding to school authorities (divisions) for each school in order to support school councils fulfilling their legislated responsibilities in the education system and enhancing parent involvement and engagement.

Allocation
$500/school council

Allocation Criteria
1.Only schools required by the Education Act to have a school council will be eligible for this grant (i.e. public, separate, Francophone and charter schools). Note: A school council must be established for each school operated by the board as per the Education Act, section 55(1).
2. Of the eligible schools, only those with an active school council will receive the grant.

Activities that grant funds can be used for include ASCA learning opportunities such as the annual conference, and customized services for parents to increase capacity for school council members.

ASCA Learning Opportunities are offered online, scheduled throughout the school year for school councils’ registration.

Learning Opportunities are delivered to school councils (regardless of ASCA Membership status) in a fee structure aligned with the Alberta School Council Engagement (ASCE) Grant. ASCA learning opportunities are designed to help school councils understand their legislated role, and enhance parent engagement in the school community.

Alberta Education (webpage link) provides school councils with guidelines regarding grant eligibility, access, uses, and reporting requirements.

Guidelines

By the end of October, school authorities will provide Alberta Education with the number of active school councils in their jurisdiction/division and any other relevant information requested. Grant funds will be allocated to school authorities through the usual funding processes.

School divisions are responsible for ensuring that the funds are disbursed to their schools and made available to the school councils. Funds must not be directed to registered fundraising societies. The decisions for the use of the funds must be made by the school council.

Examples of parent engagement activities and projects that funds can be used for include:

  • workshops for parents to increase capacity for school council members;
  • information sessions on how parents can support student learning at home and at school;
  • parent resources and workshops on important topics such as, mental health and well-being, cyber bullying, healthy living, etc.;
  • programs to support multi-cultural and Indigenous families including, English language learners and First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners;
  • parent resources and tools in multiple languages;
  • events to engage parents on important local issues;
  • conference fees;
  • parent engagement in promoting the value of arts;
  • trainer/facilitator costs for the professional development, workshops or sessions associated with the above.

Examples of non-allowable expenses include:

  • entertainment costs, meals, snacks, other food;
  • no capital asset purchases;
  • activities that have already taken place;
  • organization memberships;
  • fundraising events;
  • prizes or incentives to parents and/or students;
  • payment to school board staff including honoraria, gifts;
  • entertainment activities such as barbeques, volunteer teas, movie nights, dances, concerts or performances, etc.