Edmonton... The final report of the A Learning Alberta steering committee has been released. The report is based on last year's comprehensive review of Alberta's advanced education system, which involved input from nearly 3,000 Albertans. It includes a long-range policy framework for Alberta's advanced education system, as well as specific recommendations. The government will now review the report and make decisions on each of its recommendations in the coming months. It will begin consulting with students and post-secondary officials on how best to implement the tuition recommendations.

"The A Learning Alberta steering committee has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for advanced learning in Alberta over the next 20 years - I thank the members for their commitment and good work," said Advanced Education Minister Denis Herard. "Albertans have given us a road map showing where they want to go, and I assure them that government is totally committed to following their direction and to continually improving our advanced education system."

The report recommends:

• Rolling back tuition to the level set by institutions prior to the tuition rebates, and keeping future tuition fee increases modest by limiting them to the Consumer Price Index.
• Ensuring government funding meets inflation costs faced by institutions.
• Continue supporting and finding new ways to encourage young people and Aboriginal Albertans to enter the trades, and that encourage employers to hire apprentices.
• Expanding the number of seats available at Aboriginal colleges, and working more closely with those colleges to ensure programs and facilities support quality learning opportunities.
• Implementing incentives for rural students and under-represented groups to attend post-secondary education.
• Implementing incentives that reward students who are successful in their studies.
• Expanding and creating scholarships for graduate students, including students in humanities and social sciences programs.
• Adjusting student loan programs to allow students to receive and earn more money while they are studying.
• Reducing student loan interest rates.
• Establishing the goal of having more than 90 per cent of Albertans with the literacy levels necessary to function in a knowledge-based economy.

As a first step, the government will take all of the recommendations regarding student financial assistance and conduct an in-depth re-engineering of current supports that meet the needs of Alberta students. Student loans, scholarships and other forms of assistance will all be examined to identify areas for improvement, simplification and action. Proposed changes will be discussed with stakeholders. This year, an estimated 42,000 students in Alberta will receive $431.8 million in provincial and federal loans, grants and bursaries. As well, the Alberta government funds more than 50 scholarship programs worth approximately $52 million.

In addition, and as promised, government will consult with student groups, faculty associations, institutions and opposition parties on the new tuition fee policy and the detailed regulations. The discussions will center on how tuition increases will be calculated, which courses and programs will fall under the new policy, how the policy will apply to programs with differential fees, and other issues. Consultations will take place through the remainder of June and the input will be reviewed over the summer. Government will go back to stakeholders in early fall to finalize the details so that the new policy - along with a comprehensive affordability package that addresses all costs students face - is ready for implementation in September 2007.

Government has covered tuition increases for students at public post-secondary institutions for the past two years, saving them $87 million and allowing time to evaluate and address all of the costs students face in pursuing advanced education.

"Affordability was identified in the A Learning Alberta process as a very important issue for Albertans. We will be taking steps in the weeks and months ahead that address not only tuition but the full range of costs students face," Herard said. "At the end of the day, it comes down to taking a great advanced education system and making it even better so that all Albertans, regardless of age, ability level, location or financial standing, are able to follow their passions and achieve their goals."

The A Learning Alberta process is one key way the Alberta government is working to ensure Albertans have quality education and training opportunities available to them. Other initiatives include the Building and Educating Tomorrow's Workforce initiative currently underway, as well as the government's 20-year strategic plan.

To view the A Learning Alberta final report or for general information on the A Learning Alberta process, please visit www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/alearningalberta/

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Editors' note: A backgrounder is attached to this news release.

Media enquiries may be directed to:

Michael Shields
Advanced Education Communications
(780) 422-5400

Sub-committees made up of advanced education stakeholders prepared reports in the following areas: enhancing Aboriginal learning, strengthening learning foundations and diversity, and transforming the advanced learning system. The Steering Committee combined the reports of these sub-committees to create its final report. To view the sub-committee reports, please visit www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca/alearningalberta/

The sub-committee report recommends taking action on several fronts to position Alberta as a "Leader in Learning" in Canada. The report reinforces that gauging affordability of post-secondary education is much broader than just looking at tuition costs. It requires looking at all of the costs faced by students, including moving and living expenses, and books; and considering the variety of financial assistance options available to students, such as student loans, scholarships, grants, bursaries and debt management programs. There are several recommendations to increase affordability, including introducing a new tuition fee policy, expanding and simplifying student assistance and grant programs, and making student loans more flexible and manageable.

The sub-committee also provides recommendations on how to foster excellence in innovation, including: increasing support for graduate students, establishing programs to attract international students, and providing incentives for students to stay and work in Alberta after graduation. The report emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among youth and parents about the importance of post-secondary education. It also stresses the need to minimize the myth that advanced education is not affordable.

The report examines new possibilities for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people within the entire advanced education system, including the trades, community adult learning and institutional-based programs. It recognizes that access to and success in advanced learning opportunities for Aboriginal people plays an important role in the social, cultural and economic health and the continued prosperity of the province.

Many of the recommendations suggest concentrating on programs that prepare First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners to work in their communities by integrating language and culture into curriculum, learning resources and teaching methods. Specific recommendations include expanding the Alberta advanced education system to include Aboriginal colleges; encouraging more First Nations, Métis and Inuit people to become teachers; and developing literacy initiatives that combine language and culture with existing programs.

This report emphasizes the need to better support Albertans who are under-represented in the learning system, including those with low literacy levels or low fluency in English, immigrants, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons, Albertans from rural or remote communities and those with parents of low income and educational levels. These individuals have diverse strengths, characteristics, situations and experiences. Learning opportunities that reflect this diversity and address their particular needs are important.

The report emphasizes the importance of all Albertans having foundational skills, such as literacy skills, which enable them to fully participate in their workplaces and communities, and provide a basis for further learning. Recommendations for achieving this include strengthening Alberta's community learning system and increasing supports to meet the diverse needs of learners.

Russell Carr (Co-chair), Carr Leiren and Associates

Phil Gougeon (Co-chair), Assistant Deputy Minister of Adult Learning, Alberta Advanced Education

Cindy Ady, MLA, Calgary-Shaw

Ray Danyluk, MLA, Lac La Biche-St. Paul

Doug Griffiths, MLA, Wainwright

Randy Boissonnault, Past Chair, Centre for Family Literacy/Consulting Principal, Xennex Ltd.

Shirley Dul, Assistant Deputy Minister, Apprenticeship and Industry Training, Alberta Advanced Education

Elmer Ghostkeeper, Member, Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement of Alberta/President, Ghostkeeper Global Ltd.

Jim Gurnett, Executive Director, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers

Sharon Matthias, President, Matthias Inc: Designing the Future/Transition Director, Program Delivery, SEARCH Canada

Noel McGarry, CEO, Persons with Developmental Disabilities, Southern Alberta Board

Eric Newell, Chancellor, University of Alberta

Dr. Frits Pannekoek, President, Athabasca University

Alexis Pepin, Past President, University of Alberta Graduate Students Association

Dave Tuccaro, President, Tuccaro Inc.

Dan Vandermeulen, Past President, Northern Lakes College

Dr. Harvey Weingarten, President, University of Calgary

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Media enquiries may be directed to:

Michael Shields
Advanced Education Communications
(780) 422-5400

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