Important Information: Changes to Alberta’s Education Act

Dear CBE Families,

I wanted to inform you about important changes to Alberta’s Education Act. These changes, made through the Education Amendment Act, 2024, took effect on Sept. 1, 2025, and will apply to all school authorities in Alberta, including public, separate, francophone, charter, and independent (private) schools.

These amendments are intended to increase transparency, consistency, and parental involvement in the following areas:

1.    Preferred Names and Pronouns

If a student under 18 and asks school staff to use a gender identity-related name or pronoun(s), parents will be notified. For students under 16 years of age, school staff must obtain parental consent before using the new name or pronoun(s) at school. For students 16 or 17 years of age, school staff will provide notification only; parental consent is not required.

We understand parental notification may raise some questions and concerns for students. Where a student requests support, or where notification is reasonably expected to cause emotional or psychological harm to the student, the school will first ensure that the student is provided with counseling or other support prior to notifying the student’s parent. Students can access school-based supports without parental consent. Students and families can also connect with affordable mental health services through Counselling Alberta.

Note | It is important for parents to complete and review annual demographic forms in MyCBE for accuracy of student information including legal and preferred name(s) and other important demographic information.

2.    Classroom Instruction on Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, or Human Sexuality. If classroom lessons deal primarily and explicitly with these topics:

Parents will receive at least 30 days’ notice, and written opt-in consent MUST BE obtained before a student may participate in courses, programs, instructional materials, or exercises that deal primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation, or human sexuality.

This requirement does not apply to incidental or general references to these topics. Parents/guardians can decide for their student if they will opt-in fully, partially or not at all, to specific learning outcomes depending on their comfort level.

For non-traditional calendar (e.g. summer school) courses where notification and consent are required, these forms will be provided during the course registration process.

Note re Human Sexuality Lessons| If a parent chooses partial opt-in or non-participation for their student in Human Sexuality lessons or other courses/programs addressing these topics, the student’s grades / credits will not be affected. In these cases, teachers will provide alternative learning tasks and assessments in a supervised setting.

Teaching Materials and External Speakers

Any materials or presentations that deal primarily and explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation, or human sexuality must be approved by the Minister of Education and Childcare, unless they are used for religious instruction.

External organizations discussing these topics must also receive ministerial approval before presenting in schools.

For further resources, please view additional supporting documents:

§   AR3068 Parental Notification and Opt-In Consent

§   Parent Guide - Education Amendment Act, 2024

§   FAQs For Parents: https://cbe.ab.ca/about-us/policies-and-regulations/Pages/education-act-means-change-for-school-boards.aspx​

Ryan Turner

Principal, Banff Trail School

t | 403-777-6120