Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Alberta released class-by-class complexity data for the first time on Feb. 12, 2026.
It flagged more than 4,000 classrooms that it calls highly complex because of the number of students and type of learning challenges, chronic student behaviour or other factors.
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides also identified 655 high-priority schools when he announced the government will be funding new complexity teams to help.
So, how does your child’s school compare to others? Use the search box below to understand what administration and teachers at your school are managing.
The table below doesn’t count students. It counts classrooms.
There are two things it measures for each school.
Table 1 — Composition: This is about the number of different kinds of challenges a teacher is managing in a class.
It looks at nine different factors, including if a student is learning English as an additional language (EAL); has “mild/moderate” or “severe” learning disabilities; has an individualized program plan (IPP); is Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit); is “gifted” and therefore needs different and more challenging work; is a refugee; is on a waitlist for an assessment of a medical or learning challenge; or another code as defined by the specific school district.
Table 2 — Occurrence: This is about the number of students in the class who require additional support. But this one is only based on students learning English as an additional language (EAL), or those coded with “mild/moderate” or “severe” learning support needs.
A low occurrence means there are zero to four students in the class with more complex needs, medium equals five to 10, and high equates 11 or more.
More on the new complexity teamsLISTEN | CBE chief superintendent Joanne Pitman explains the next steps:
Calgary Eyeopener9:20The Calgary Board of Education reacts to Alberta’s recently announced approach to classroom complexity
476 schools across Alberta will be supported by so called “complexity teams,” made up of one teacher and two educational assistants. CBE Chief Superintendent Joanne Pitman joined us for her reaction to the news.LISTEN | CUPE president Mandy Lamoureux shares a perspective from educational assistants:
Edmonton AM5:57Complex learning needs
Yesterday, the Alberta government announced new funding to help educators navigate complex learning needs. The province is allocating $143 million to deploy “complexity teams” to almost 500 elementary schools in Alberta. These teams will consist of one teacher and two educational assistants. Mandy Lamoureaux is the president of CUPE local 3550. The union represents 3,000 Edmonton Public Schools support staff, which includes educational assistants.