Early reading and math screenings become mandatory in Alberta schools

Alberta is finally making sure the province’s youngest students get the education support they need with new mandatory reading and math screenings as classrooms grow “increasingly complex.”

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Alberta is finally making sure the province’s youngest students get the education support they need with new mandatory reading and math screenings as classrooms grow “increasingly complex.”

The Education (Prioritizing Literacy and Numeracy) Amendment Act, 2025 (Bill 6) mandates literacy and numeracy screenings for all public, separate, francophone, charter and accredited independent schools, as well as early childhood service operators. Results will be shared with parents and the Ministry of Education and Childcare, with annual public reporting required by law.

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“Alberta’s classrooms are more complex than ever, and our teachers need the right tools to support every student. By identifying learning needs early, these screeners will help us address complexity head-on and ensure that children with diverse and complex needs get the help they need to thrive.”

Speaking at a press conference, Nicolaides said research shows the screeners can predict with 95% accuracy whether a student will face future learning difficulties, allowing teachers to intervene before small issues become larger barriers.

The proposed legislation elevates existing screening requirements from policy to law, granting them statutory authority and adding a new legal obligation for schools to share results with parents. The government believes this change will strengthen early intervention and keep families “informed and engaged in their child’s learning.”

Nicolaides said legislating the practice, rather than keeping it a policy, will help standardize procedures across school divisions and ensure future governments retain their focus on foundational learning.

Michael McMann, president of the College of Alberta School Superintendents, said the legislation reinforces the importance of early skill development.

“These two foundational skills are the cornerstones of every student’s learning journey. They are not just subjects; they are gateways to understanding, problem-solving, and lifelong success.”

The province will require schools to screen students within specific three-week windows during the fall, winter and spring. Kindergarten children will continue to undergo winter screenings, with follow-up assessments in the spring for students requiring extra support.

Nicolaides noted that principals or school divisions can exempt students whose first language is not English from the assessments.

Literacy and numeracy screenings were first introduced as mandatory policy in 2022 for Grades 1 to 3, and expanded in 2024 to include Kindergarten children and multiple assessment periods. Bill 6 now enshrines these requirements in law.

Under the new framework, the education minister will have authority to establish regulations governing the frequency, timing, exemptions and reporting methods for screenings. The ministry will publish an annual report on literacy and numeracy outcomes for all Alberta school authorities.

Dyslexia Canada welcomed the move, calling it a crucial step toward equity in education.

“Early screening is an essential part of an equitable approach to literacy instruction,” said Alicia Smith, the organization’s executive director. “Legislating this practice is an important step toward making sure that early screening becomes a lasting part of how we support every child’s right to learn to read.”

If passed, Bill 6 would take effect in the fall of 2026 for the 2026–27 school year.

Budget 2025 allocates $11 million to support math and reading instruction, increasing to $13 million in 2026–27 and $15 million in 2027–28. Since 2021, the government has invested $92.5 million to strengthen foundational learning.

While implementing the Back to School Act, the Alberta UCP also launched a new task force to address classroom complexity and student aggression.

“Teachers have made it clear that addressing classroom complexity and safety are among the most critical improvements needed in our education system,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. “We are taking real action to meet those needs by strengthening classroom supports, hiring more teachers and educational assistants, and acting on the recommendations of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team.”

Nicolaides also highlighted a 34% increase in refugee students and a surge in English-language learners. He told True North that while he doesn’t want Ottawa to be more involved in provincial jurisdiction, the Liberals should “take responsibility for the consequences and implications of its immigration decisions that have increased pressure on Alberta classrooms.”

If passed, Bill 6 will mark the province’s latest effort to tackle classroom complexity by legislating early intervention and ensuring every child struggling with reading or math is identified before small challenges become lifelong barriers.