820: Locally Developed Courses
Responsible Administrator: Deputy Superintendent, Education Services
PURPOSE
Sturgeon Public Schools believes that locally developed courses meet specific educational needs of students.
PROCESS
The Deputy Superintendent, Education Services, is responsible for locally developed courses offered in schools.
DEFINITIONS
Locally Developed/Acquired and Authorized Courses (LDCs): are developed by school divisions and acquired, and authorized by the division to provide students with learning opportunities that complement provincially authorized programs. LDCs allow schools to be innovative and responsive in accommodating students' special interests and abilities, and to address local community interests.
PROCEDURE
1. Learning resources to be used in any locally developed course shall be selected in accordance with all policies, regulations and Administrative Procedures.
2. The division makes provisions for locally developed/acquired and authorized junior and senior high school complementary courses.
3. All locally developed/acquired and authorized courses and learning resources shall be consistent with the Guide to Education: ECS to Grade 12.
4. Locally developed/acquired and authorized courses are only applicable to junior and senior high schools.
5. All locally developed/acquired and authorized courses shall be approved for a maximum of four years.
6. Schools submit requests to offer LDCs to the Deputy Superintendent. Timelines are based on the grade level, time of offering, and whether the course is newly developed or acquired.
7. Courses recommended for approval will be presented annually to the Board for approval.
8. The Deputy Superintendent's office will forward requests for authorizations of credit courses to Alberta Education as required.
9. The Principal of a school shall ensure that any locally developed course has the approval of both the Board and the Minister of Education before the course is offered in a school.
References:
Education Act: Sections 18(1), 53(2)
Guide to Education: Locally Developed Courses
Alberta Education Policy 1.2.1 –Locally Developed/Acquired and Authorized Junior and Senior High School Complementary Courses
History
2020 Jan 29 Initial Approval
2020 Jul 24 Amended
2025 April 23 Amended
Administrative Procedures VIII. Curriculum and Instruction