Teacher strike makes November Diploma exam optional

Today marks the 15th day of the Alberta teachers’ strike, and concerns continue to grow about when students will be able to return to class and how their academic progress will be affected.

The Government of Alberta recently announced the 2025 November diploma exam will be optional for students and will not affect a student’s ability to apply to, be accepted by, or attend post-secondary institutions after graduation. The release also says students can still complete their courses and graduate on time. Their final grade will be based entirely on the school-awarded mark provided by their teacher.

For its part, the Alberta Teachers’ Association states to BCN, “we’re hearing from teachers on both ends of the spectrum. Some remain resolute in their decision to strike, while others are ready to return to their classrooms. Strikes impact individuals differently, and this is equally true for students. So far, there has been limited feedback from teachers regarding the November diploma exams being optional.”