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Assurance Framework

Every spring, Alberta Education allocates funds to school authorities to support the delivery of high-quality education programs for all students. The practice establishes an accountability relationship that requires transparency, annual reporting and assurance every Alberta-based school division meets its responsibilities. Within EIPS, this is facilitated through an Assurance Framework, cycled through annually. Broadly, it’s an accountability mechanism for the Division to assess and publicly demonstrate its ongoing progress—through regular reporting, set processes, actions, engagement, analysis of evidence and relationship building. The result: stakeholders and community members continually gain a comprehensive understanding of EIPS’ performance and its commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

EIPS Assurance Framework Process

  • Before every new Board of Trustees election, the Division engages families, students, staff and stakeholders on its Four-Year Education Plan, which captures EIPS’ strategic direction.
  • Every winter and spring, EIPS reviews the Four-Year Education Plan, engages stakeholders and fine-tunes the plan, detailing its priorities, goals, outcomes, strategies and performance measures.
  • EIPS uses the updated education plan to inform EIPS’ spring budget and school education plans—also developed with stakeholder input.
  • In May, after announcing the budget, the Division and schools allocate or redirect resources to achieve the priorities and meet the responsibilities outlined in the education plans.
  • In September, the Division and schools begin implementing the education plans, using research-based practices, engaging in professional learning, and working to maintain or improve performance in the goals outlined in the education plans—focusing on student growth and achievement.
  • In late fall, the Division conducts Assurance Reviews with schools and departments—using the Alberta Education Assurance measures, and internal qualitative and quantitative data. The reviews complement the education plans and allow schools and departments to share their results, annual education plans, successes and challenges with the Board and community. Through this process, trustees, staff and families are more aware of what’s happening across the Division and the issues it faces.
  • Following the Assurance Reviews, EIPS produces an Annual Education Results Report. The report outlines how the Division ensures students achieve the best possible outcomes and how it meets the priorities and goals set out in the Four-Year Education Plan. Once reviewed and approved by the Board, the report is published and shared publicly with the government, school communities, Committee of School Councils and posted online at eips.ca.
  • For the remainder of the year, EIPS and schools monitor the implementation of the education plans and adjust efforts, as needed, incorporating stakeholder input based on engagement activities throughout the process.

Assurance Cycle: 2023-24

OCTOBER 2023

  • All EIPS Central Services departments hosted Assurance Reviews to go over the previous year’s results with the Board.

AD HOC ENGAGEMENT: The Division hosted an engagement session related to senior high French Immersion as part of its Three-Year Engagement Plan. The feedback collected strongly influenced the Board’s solutions to improve operations.

NOVEMBER 2023

  • All Division schools hosted Assurance Reviews to go over the previous year’s results with the Board—school council chairs were also invited.
  • The Division published the EIPS Annual Education Results Report: 2022-23.

DECEMBER 2023

  • The Division administered its annual EIPS Budget Survey to gather feedback about budget-planning priorities—the Board used the survey input to help develop the 2024-25 spring budget.

JANUARY 2024

  • EIPS engaged the Committee of School Councils (COSC) about the Annual Education Results Report: 2022-23.
  • All EIPS schools consulted school councils and families about school fees for the upcoming year.

AD HOC ENGAGEMENT: The Board approved a solution for the senior high French Immersion program and to balance senior high enrolment in Sherwood Park—both part of the Three-Year Engagement Plan. Before a decision was made, the Division consulted stakeholders about its rationale. Future consultations are planned to ensure smooth transitions.

FEBRUARY 2024

  • The province administered the Alberta Education Assurance survey to gather stakeholder feedback on the assurance domains. The data helps guide decision-making.

MARCH 2024

  • The Division administered its 2023-24 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey to staff, students, families and community members to gauge its progress and stakeholder confidence related to the priority and goals outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan—the input helps guide future decision-making and priorities.

APRIL 2024

  • All EIPS schools engaged staff, families and school councils to inform budget planning and develop the 2024-25 school education plans.
  • Using the feedback provided from the annual surveys and other public engagement conversations, the Division prepared a draft spring budget report and updated the EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26 (Year 3).

AD HOC ENGAGEMENT: The Division hosted a stakeholder engagement session on how best to manage the challenges the Division faces in Fort Saskatchewan—ageing infrastructure, the growing population and anticipated capacity pressures.

MAY 2024

  • The Division engaged COSC about EIPS’ spring budget and the EIPS Four-Year Education Plan (Year 3).
  • Using the stakeholder feedback from the annual surveys, the Board approved the updated EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26 (Year 3).

JUNE 2024

  • Using the stakeholder feedback from the annual surveys, the Board approved the spring budget for the 2024-25 school year and submitted it to Alberta Education.

ONGOING

  • The Division published an ongoing newsletter for its community partners, EIPS Board Update, featuring articles about the Division, the work of the Board of Trustees and the importance of public education.
  • The Division published an ongoing newsletter for the school community, EIPS Advocacy in Action, featuring articles about the Division, the work of the Board of Trustees, EIPS priorities, advocacy areas and the value of public education.