Policy Statement
SelfDesign Learning Foundation (SDLF) will provide access to homeschool registration to families living in British Columbia and who choose to take responsibility for their children’s educational program.
Definitions
Educational Program: The School Act defines an “educational program” as a set of learning activities that is designed to enable learners (enrolled students and homeschooled children) to become literate, to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy, democratic and pluralistic society and a prosperous and sustainable economy. Within the context of homeschooling, the parent has the authority to determine how the homeschooling educational program meets this definition.
Policy
SelfDesign Learning Foundation recognizes the right of parents and guardians to choose alternative methods of teaching where the parent/guardian delivers an educational program to children at home. Section 12 of the School Act provides parents with the statutory right to educate their children at home. Homeschooling allows children to work at their own pace and parents/guardians to blend family, life, and learning into their own schedule. Homeschooling is the full responsibility of the parent/guardian, is not supervised by a British Columbia certified teacher, is not required to meet provincial standards, and is not inspected by the Ministry of Education and Child Care. SelfDesign Learning Community (SDLC) will provide limited resources and services to children who are homeschooling through SelfDesign Home Learning, however, there is no access to inclusive education funding or Learning Resources and Services.
Protocol
Parents/Guardians may register their children with SelfDesign Home Learning via the registration form by September 30th of the learning year. After September 30th, a registration fee applies.
SelfDesign Home Learning will provide the following services to children registered as homeschoolers:
- A contact person to answer questions.
- Evaluation and assessment services to determine the child’s educational progress in relation to learners of similar age and ability upon request.
- Educational resource and activity suggestions that are authorized and recommended by the education program team which are sufficient to enable the child to pursue their educational program.
Related Documents
- School Act.
- Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual.