Knowledge and Employability Courses
Update #18: May 2007

• English Language Arts 8–9 and English Language Arts 10-4, 20-4, 30-4
• Mathematics 8–9 and Mathematics 10-4, 20-4
• Science 8–9 and Science 10-4, 20-4
• Social Studies 8–9 (312 kb) and Social Studies 10-4, 20-4 (718 kb)
• Occupational Courses Grades 8 and 9 and 10-4, 20-4, 30-4

Grandfathering
Students who were enrolled in senior high school IOP as of January 2006 will have the choice of completing the new Certificate of High School Achievement or the former Certificate of Achievement requirements. All students entering the Knowledge and Employability course sequence in September 2006 will be working toward the new Certificate of High School Achievement.

Knowledge and Employability Social Studies Implementation
Knowledge and Employability Social Studies 8 and 10-4 will be implemented in September 2007 and Knowledge and Employability Social Studies 9 and 20-4 will be implemented in September 2008.

Knowledge and Employability Occupational Courses Implementation
Knowledge and Employability Natural Resources (10-4, 20-4, 30-4) and Fabrics (10-4, 20-4, 30-4) courses will be implemented in September 2007. The IOP occupational courses will continue to be phased out over the next year. As of September 2007, IOP occupational courses at the 26-level will be withdrawn. IOP occupational courses at the 36-level will be withdrawn in September 2008. These courses will be replaced by Knowledge and Employability occupational courses and codes. The IOP occupation courses at the 36-level will remain as a 10-credit allocation courses until they are phased out..

Knowledge and Employability Symposium
In collaboration with the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC) and others, Alberta Education will assist in the coordinating and hosting of a second provincial Knowledge and Employability Courses Symposium. This symposium will be held in the spring of 2008.

Resources

• Knowledge and Employability Studio
  The Studio is an online guide to the implementation of Knowledge and Employability courses from grades 8 to 12. The Studio provides information, strategies, sample activities and tools to help teachers meet curriculum outcomes and enhance student learning. New resource documents have been added to the Studio.

• Knowledge and Employability - Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Connections
  This document identifies potential linkages among KE occupational programs of study and the CTS courses. It will help to clarify how the two programs are similar and how they are differ and will facilitate decision making related to student placement and program delivery.

• Infusing First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Perspectives, 2006
  This document is intended to provide support to teachers and students to facilitate the infusion of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) perspectives within the content areas. It can be accessed in the Studio, Level 02, through either the Social Studies or English Language Arts sections.

• Authorized Resources
  — Publisher resources have been identified to support both academic and occupational courses. For the most current listing of authorized basic, support and teaching resources, visit the Authorized Resources Database.
  
  — The Integrated Occupational Program (IOP) (Knowledge and Employability), Grades 8 to 12: Alberta Authorized Resource List and Annotated Bibliography, June 2005 is still available online for those schools that will be grandfathering courses.

  — The Alberta Authorized Resource List and Annotated Bibliography for Knowledge and Employability Courses, Grades 8-12, September 2006 Draft, contains 15 separate listings of learning and teaching resources organized by subject/occupational strand. In addition to the stated subject area, each list includes Career Awareness and Universal Strategies. The annotated bibliography resources are listed alphabetically by title. Each of the resources listed has a corresponding annotation (under development).

• Knowledge and Employability Implementation Tool, Draft 2006
  This resource is a browser-driven, one-stop-shop for teachers, educators and administrators to implement Knowledge and Employability courses that are in full provincial implementation in September 2006. The final draft of this Tool is also available on a CD–ROM that has been mailed to all superintendents and junior and senior high schools in Alberta.

French Language Services Branch
Mandatory implementation of Knowledge and Employability courses in French is scheduled for September 2008.

Learning Technologies Branch

• Career Quest Collection
  The new Career Quest collection of Knowledge and Employability digital learning resources is currently under development. Using feedback from students and teachers, these resources have been enhanced to include new features.

  The Career Quest Collection will feature interactive resources and some occupational videos; e.g.,
  — a virtual kitchen simulation with three levels that teaches students about sanitation and food safety
  — five cash register simulations for different occupational environments, including resources for an auto centre, bakery, convenience store, diner and salon
  — thirty-six interactive Applying for a Job resources that help teach students about résumés, cover letters and application forms in every occupational strand
  — a meal planning digital resource that will teach students about food groups and how to meet the daily requirements of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

  The Career Quest collection will be updated to include new digital resources throughout 2007 and 2008. The French digital resources are currently under development with a launch date to be determined.

• Career Search Tool: Learner Pathways
  This digital resource was launched to the live site during March 2007. Career Search Tool: Learner Pathways includes information that is appropriate, and linked to curricular outcomes, for both CTS and Knowledge and Employability courses.
  The resource allows students to explore a variety of occupations, based on their interests, potential career fields and level of education. Through the Career Search Tool, users can locate detailed information on the duties, salary and employment market for specific positions. Teachers and students can use this tool to identify training and educational requirements associated with different occupations. The tool also shows the relationship between junior and senior high school courses and future employment.

Alberta Education Knowledge and Employability Contacts

Curriculum Branch	Michelle Micklich, Program Manager [780–415–4508]
Learning and Teaching Resources Branch	Deborah MacFadyen, Resource Manager [780–297–4374]
French Language Services Branch	Yannick Dufour, Program Manager [780–427–2940]
Learner Assessment Branch	Ray Shapka, Examination Manager [780–422–2786]
Learning Technologies Branch	Erika Smith, Project Lead [780–644–5329]
	Toll free within Alberta: 310–0000

Contacts:  Send comments to our curriculum contact.

Top of Page