Association gets $15K to study effects of COVID-19 on students' academic development, health
The Alberta School Councils' Association has received a $15,000 grant to examine the perceived effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' academic development and social and mental health.
The grant, provided by Alberta Education, is going toward a survey for parents or primary caregivers of K-12 students where they can share their perspectives on their children's academic growth, learning progress, social, emotional, and mental health, and potential losses or gaps resulting from learning disruptions during COVID-19.
Responses to the survey will provide the Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) board of directors with perspectives on the educational experience during the pandemic and will be used to advocate for changes to contribute to student success.
“As a provincial-level partner in education, ASCA advocates on behalf of parents through its member school councils, and often undertakes activities to represent the collective perspectives of parents and guardians of Alberta's students to the minister of education and other education partners and stakeholders,” Brandi Rai, president of ASCA, said in a news release.
“We are grateful the minister of education has provided ASCA with project funding to conduct this broad audience survey. Throughout the pandemic, we have heard concerns from parents across Alberta related to academic progress, and social/emotional growth, and mental health challenges.”
The survey will also provide an opportunity for ASCA to learn what interventions or supports parents believe would be most beneficial for their children.
“With these perspectives gathered in one place, ASCA can focus on influencing positive change that will benefit all Alberta students,” Rai said.
ASCA is the provincial association representing parents on school councils working to build strong school communities and provide parents with a voice in their children's education.
ASCA says the anonymous survey, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete, can be found on the ASCA website. It will close at 9 a.m. on July 11. Results will be shared with the Ministry of Education after closing.