Alberta’s pluriform school system: Beyond the “public–secular” versus “private–religious” divide

Abstract

The Canadian province of Alberta runs a unique school system that offers ten options for school plurality and choice, nine of which provide some form of faith-based schooling. This article argues that Alberta has created a pragmatic version of a “pluriform school system.” This system breaks with the assumption, shared by many Christian school supporters, that faith-based schooling ought to be delivered in the private sphere. The article describes these options for choice, identifies the historical motivators that sparked efforts to pluralize the system, and lists the key consequences and problems flowing from this system.