Edmonton Catholic Schools has a responsibility to ensure welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and positive sense of self. There are Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, Legislation, and practices to ensure this is being met.
Board Policies
Policy 18 - Commitment to Inclusive Communities
Catholic schools are places of both learning and believing. Our schools share a foundational belief that all children are loved by God, created in God’s image, and individually unique. As such, all human beings are inherently sacred and must be treated with dignity and respect. The school has a mission to help students grow as children of God in all aspects of their person: physically, academically, socially, emotionally, morally, and spiritually. Click here to read Board Policy 18.
Policy 19 - Indigenous Voice
The Board recognizes the right of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to obtain an education that results in high levels of success. Click here to read Board Policy 19.
Administrative Procedures
Edmonton Catholic School Division has several Administrative Procedures that are connected with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. We are committed to ongoing improvement, which will involve a review of Administrative Procedures.
AP 213 - Inclusive Education
As a faith community, the Division welcomes all students. Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that demonstrates universal acceptance of and belonging for all children and students. Read Administrative Procedure 213.
AP 171 - Respect in the Workplace
The inherent right of all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect is central to Catholic values and beliefs. The Division is committed to the creation of a working environment which fosters mutual respect for the dignity and well-being of all employees, contractors and volunteers. Read Administrative Procedure 171.
AP 172 - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
The principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism shall guide all aspects of Division operations, organization, structure, procedures, and practices. The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected, and responsibilities are met. Read Administrative Procedure 172.
AP 160 - Commitment to Inclusive Communities in Edmonton Catholic Schools
Edmonton Catholic Schools recognizes that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. As such, all human beings are inherently sacred and must be treated with dignity and respect. Read Administrative Procedure 160.
Alberta Education
Edmonton Catholic Schools has a responsibility to ensure welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments that respect diversity and nurture a sense of belonging and positive sense of self. There is legislation and practices to ensure this is being met.
Safe and Caring Schools
Safe and Caring Schools outlines legislation and practices to ensure that schools are welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments
Inclusive Education
The following 6 principles are key to achieving Alberta’s vision for an inclusive education system. These principles can guide and inform value-based and learner-centred decisions related to policies, practices and actions at every level of Alberta’s education system.
- Anticipate, value and support diversity and learner differences – Welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments create a sense of belonging for all learners and their families.
- High expectations for all learners – Creating a culture of high expectations begins with an accessible curriculum and meaningful and relevant learning experiences. Educators and families act on the idea that, with the right instructional supports, every learner can be successful.
- Understand learners’ strengths and needs – Meaningful data is gathered and shared at all levels of the system—by teachers, families, schools, school authorities and the Ministry—to understand and respond to the strengths and needs of individual learners.
- Remove barriers within learning environments – All education partners work together to remove barriers within the learning environment so that all learners are successful and can participate in the school community.
- Build capacity – Government, school and system leaders, teachers, education professionals, families and community partners have ongoing opportunities, relationships and resources that develop, strengthen and renew their understanding, skills and abilities to create flexible and responsive learning environments. Capacity building takes place at the personal, school and system levels.
- Collaborate for success – All education stakeholders, including school and system staff, families, community partners, post-secondary institutions, teacher preparation programs and government, are committed to collaboration to support the success of all learners.
Inclusive Education Policy
Alberta Education’s mission to continue providing inclusive learning opportunities is evidenced in the Inclusive Education Policy in the Guide to Education.
Alberta’s education system is built on a values-based approach to accepting responsibility for all children and students. Inclusion is a way of thinking and acting that demonstrates universal acceptance of, and belonging for, all children and students.
“To support children and students in attaining the goals as stated in the Ministerial Order on Student Learning, school authorities must ensure that all children and students (Kindergarten to Grade 12), regardless of race, religious belief, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, family status or sexual orientation, or any other factor(s), have access to meaningful and relevant learning experiences that include appropriate instructional supports.”
2021-22 Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12, page 27.