The Minister of Education is appointed by the Premier of Alberta.

The Ministry is then divided into three organizations: the Alberta School Foundation Fund, the Department of Education, and the school jurisdictions of Alberta, which operate in an arms-length fashion to the ministry.

[1] The Alberta School Foundation Fund receives tax revenues from municipalities based on the equalized assessment of real property in Alberta and education mill rates established by the lieutenant governor in council.

These monies, for which the ministry is responsible, along with those from provincial general revenues, are allocated on a fair and equitable basis to public and separate school boards for educational costs.

The Department of Education mandate is "[to provide a] foundation of knowledge, skills and competencies needed to prepare Alberta children and youth for lifelong success."