Sure, the summers holidays are appealing, but a new study reveals Alberta teachers are putting in some extra time during the busy school year.
The government, Alberta Teachers’ Association and school boards released a new study Friday which said, on average, teachers are working about 48 hours a week, including weekends, during the school year.
The survey polled 1,500 Alberta teachers from all grade levels, tracking hours spent on work before and after school, as well as on weekends.
Instruction takes up about 50 per cent of teachers’ time, while educational supports, such as planning administration, grading assignments, communicating with parents and extra-curricular activities were also included.
Workload issues were also identified. Teachers surveyed said there was an increase in the number of high-needs students in their classrooms and that parent and community expectations were also an added pressure.
“This is rich data that confirms the complexity of teachers’ practice,” Mark Ramsankar, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, said in a news release. “Clear concerns arise about how teachers are being distracted from their core work with students, and we will need to have discussions about conditions that impact the classroom experience.”
The survey was administered by R.A. Malatest and Associates. It cost the Alberta government roughly $500,000.
“This survey will help inform discussions with education partners as we move forward,” Education Minister David Eggen said. “This confirms what Albertans already know, that teachers are professionals who dedicate their time and energy to our future generations.”
Results exclude weeks such as Christmas and spring break, as well as the final week of June when school calendars are shortened.