Province expands standardized testing to grades 4 and 5

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News Province expands standardized testing to grades 4 and 5 The Grades 4-5 version will be a group process that takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Author of the article: By Bill Kaufmann Published Sep 09, 2026 Last updated 2 hours ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Standardized testing for math and literacy will now include students in Grades 4 and 5, the province said Wednesday. PHOTO BY PERRY MAH /QMI AGENCY; EDMONTON SUN; PERRY Article content Standardized testing for math and literacy will now include students in grades 4 and 5, the province said Wednesday. Article content That expands a similar program begun a year ago in K-3 and aims to identify learning gaps before they become wider, Alberta Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in Calgary. Article content Article content “When students receive help early, they are better positioned for success in school, for future learning and in life,” he said, adding that screening will commence this fall. Article content Article content “Students who require extra help will also be rescreened in the spring to measure their progress and determine whether additional assistance is needed.” Article content Noon News Roundup Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The province is also dedicating $20 million to support the screening and act on those assessments, by bolstering the ranks of educational assistants and other educators, said Nicolaides. That’s a more than 60 per cent increase over previous funding for that purpose, he said. Article content Test results will be shared with parents and, in the 2027-2028 school year, an overview report will be produced on the screening that will become an annual practise. Article content “Parents play a critical role in supporting student success, and by providing timely and consistent information, this will help families work in partnership with teachers to address challenges and celebrate progress,” said Nicolaides. Article content Results from the standardized process in K-3 show that between 30 per cent and 41 per cent of students who required extra help no longer needed it a year later, said the…