Student mental health sessions surge, writing targets missed in Rocky View Schools report

Rocky View Schools reported 5,701 presentations and work from Education Centre staff on student mental health last year, compared with a target of 200. Early reading scores also improved, but writing results remained below the 80 per cent target, the division said in its latest strategic plan update.

The surge in mental health programming was made possible when the Alberta government extended its Mental Health Grant, allowing supports to continue for both students and staff. By comparison, 747 sessions were reported in 2023/24 and 1,207 in 2022/23.

Only 67 per cent of schools reached 80 per cent fidelity on the Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS) survey, short of the 90 per cent target. All schools completed at least the Tier 1 fidelity survey, with several moving into Tiers 2 and 3.

On literacy, the Letter Name-Sound (LeNS) test showed 84 per cent of Grade 1 students and 82 per cent of Grade 2 students were “not at risk,” matching provincial targets. Students in Grade 3 scored 86 per cent on the Castles and Coltheart 3 (CC3) test, slightly above the 85 per cent target. The division said teacher practice changes, new curriculum expectations and additional supports may have contributed to the growth.

Writing, however, fell well short. Results ranged from 56 to 71 per cent of students in Grades 3–11 meeting grade-level expectations, with an overall average of 65 per cent. The target for all grades was 80 per cent.

“Students’ skills in writing continue to need focus and improvement,” the report said. “As reading skills improve, writing skills may also improve when accompanied by instruction and feedback.”

Student engagement also showed sharp contrasts. The report found 65 per cent of Grades 4–6 students said they were interested and motivated in their learning, compared with only 25 per cent of those in Grades 7–12.

Survey results on the Alberta Education Assurance Measures (AEAM) showed 80 per cent of teachers, parents and students agreed their learning environments were welcoming, caring, respectful and safe, compared with an 84 per cent target. Satisfaction with the opportunity for students to receive a broad program of studies, including fine arts, career and technology education, and health and physical education, was 81 per cent, against a target of 84 per cent.

Four new schools were approved for construction in 2024/25, but modular classrooms fell short of demand. The division requested 27 new units and received 10, along with one relocation.

Facilities staff completed 5,919 service requests last year, compared with a target of 5,000. Thirty-five per cent were resolved within a week. Seven major renovation projects and six redesigned learning spaces were completed, including accessible washrooms at Beiseker Community School and a converted stage at Springbank Middle School.

Technology upgrades continued, with 368 infrastructure devices and 1,213 end-user devices replaced. The report said additional purchases were made in preparation for changes to Airdrie school configurations in September 2025.

On workforce measures, retention stayed high at 98 per cent. But only 16 per cent of staff filled out the annual employee survey, well short of the 30 per cent target and down from 61 per cent two years earlier.

Twenty-four per cent of staff who left completed an exit survey. The division reported 22 actions were taken as a direct result of that feedback.

Professional learning participation far exceeded the target, with 7,350 staff members attending sessions compared with a goal of 2,000. Eighty-eight per cent of exit slips from centrally organized professional learning indicated value in the sessions, just under the 90 per cent target.

Leadership development continued, with 55 staff in the Administrative Leadership Pool and 40 in the Leadership Development and Support program. Eighteen of 21 leadership positions — including principals, assistant principals and Education Centre roles — went to internal candidates.

Community connections also grew. The division reported 385 new partnerships with businesses, trades and post-secondary institutions. Trustees attended 687 events such as school council meetings, exceeding their 500-event target, and made 517 social media posts highlighting activities in schools.

The number of community use events rose to 3,580, surpassing the target of 3,250. Four board-sponsored engagements were held, compared with five in each of the previous two years. The division said more than 3,200 responses were received.

The report recorded gains in literacy and mental health supports, alongside shortfalls in writing, space, and staff engagement surveys.

Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM. 

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.