Alberta and Saskatchewan have placed ‘complexity teams’ into schools to support students needing extra help.
In the west of Canada, educators, parents and policymakers are navigating issues familiar to many working in schools where students’ needs are more complex than ever – requiring differentiated instruction, behaviour management, language learning support and other needs.
Complexity teams
In 2024, in Saskatchewan, the province’s government ran a pilot project, placing ‘complexity teams’ into eight schools. These teams were made up of two teachers and a part-time occupational therapist whose role was to support students in separate classrooms in eight schools. 1
The scheme has not been without controversy but, at the end of 2024, it was announced that it would expand to 200 schools by 2028, with a historic arbitration ruling securing annual funding of $20 million dedicated to class complexity. 2
Meanwhile, Alberta took inspiration from the Saskatchewan government by employing a similar model in its province, with the government announcing a $143-million initiative to deploy complexity teams into schools. 3
The funding has been welcomed, but several unions say it is overdue and still insufficient to reverse years of underinvestment. In addition, many educators say that without more far-reaching changes to how classrooms work, including permanent staffing increases and better reporting on complexity trends, teachers will remain stretched in their ability to teach the range of differentiation required to help every student achieve their potential.
A wider shift
Although these developments mark a change in how some Canadian jurisdictions are approaching public education, there is more work to do to widen the focus from funding being allocated solely on class size. Taking account of just how complex those classes are year on year, while determining funding and support, will provide a better environment to improving student attainment and teacher wellbeing.
References
- Alberta looks to Saskatchewan’s model for tackling classroom complexity in schools. Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/saskatchewan-alberta-school-classroom-education-complexity-funding-9.7100538 (Accessed 24 Feb 2026)
- Binding Arbitration Delivers Historic Ruling for Saskatchewan Students, Teachers. Available at: https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/k12/3/1128324/binding-arbitration-delivers-historic-ruling-for-saskatchewan-students-teachers.htm (Accessed 24 Feb 2026)
- Alberta’s premier announces $143M for extra staff to tackle complex classrooms. Available at: https://www.ckom.com/2026/02/12/albertas-premier-announces-143m-for-extra-staff-to-tackle-complex-classrooms (Accessed 24 Feb 2026)
