Legislation and the teaching position

WORTH KNOWING
Legislation and the Teaching Profession
 
Two pieces of legislation significant to the teaching profession are the Education Act and the Teaching Profession Act (TPA).
 
There are sections in the Education Act that are of particular interest to teachers and teacher leaders. Specifically,

• sections 196 and 197 outline the responsibilities of teachers and principals,
• section 198 indicates the required qualifications for employment as a teacher,
• section 201 contains information about teacher certification,
• sections 205–11 define the various contracts of employment for teachers,
• sections 212 and 213 outline teacher transfers and suspensions,
• sections 214–17 provide information about termination of contract, and
• section 220 outlines how teachers are paid.

 
The TPA establishes and defines compulsory and other options for membership in the Alberta Teachers’ Association and directs governance of the Association. It also sets out the objects of the Association as follows:

• to advance and promote the cause of education in Alberta;
• to improve the teaching profession;
• to arouse and increase public interest in the importance of education and public knowledge of the aims of education, financial support for education, and other education matters; and
• to cooperate with other organizations and bodies in Canada and elsewhere having the same or like aims and objects.

 
WORTH SHARING
Two important pieces of legislation govern the teaching profession. Teachers should become familiar with the Education Act and the Teaching Profession Act, as they contain information crucial to the work of teachers and teacher leaders. #WEAREATA