Where do you starting with Homeschooling in Alberta?
Beginning homeschooling can seem like such a huge task! But it’s actually way easier than you’d think! Let’s talk about how to get started with your families homeschooling in Alberta journey!
What are the Legal Requirements for Homeschool in Alberta?
- In Alberta, you are asked to send a Letter of Intent to provide Home Education to the Minister of Education for all children from the ages of 6 to 16 years old. This means you must notify the Minister of Education by September of the year your child turns 6. You also will need to continue to do so each year until your child is 16 years old. The notification must be given to the Minister of Education before September 1st, or 30 days after the child is withdrawn from public school. It’s also suggested that you write a letter to the principal of the school that your child currently attends, if you are withdrawing them from a school board.
- It’s the responsibility of the Associate School Authority to provide the parents with support if they request it.
- If you are planning to educate your child at home, you need to be registered with a “Willing Non-Resident” School Board by September 30th of that school year. This allows you to be legal and to receive funding from the government.
- We highly recommend that you check out The Canadian Homeschoolers page for more information on Willing Non-Resident School Boards and Associate Boards Homeschooling in Alberta: How to Get Started (thecanadianhomeschooler.com). You’ll also want to get familiar with the terms home education, shared responsibility, and distance learning.
What Will I Be Required to Teach when Homeschooling in Alberta?
- You won’t be required to teach anything specific when Homeschooling in Alberta.
- You don’t need to use a pre-made curriculum unless you want to.
- If you think your child may be returning to public school in the future, you should choose to follow a curriculum that is Canadian and similar to the Canadian public school structure, but that is your choice.
- Are you looking for a Canadian curriculum that aligns with the Alberta government standards? You can shop Schoolio here: Best Customizable Canadian Curriculum Program in Alberta (schoolio.io)
What Records Am I Required to Keep?
It really depends on which plan you choose to follow when Homeschooling in Alberta:
- Home Education – you are required to use the 22 Home Education Learning Outcomes to determine and deliver your child’s education plan. The board can provide support, but you as the parent plan, choose resources, teach and assess the entire home education program for your child. You as the parent are in full control of the entire program.
- Distance Learning – All aspects of this are controlled by the school instead of the parent. The school plans, chooses resources, teaches and provides assessment and must deliver the 1,400 outcomes per grade of the Alberta Programs of Study. This is a regular school program; and it must be taught by Alberta certified teachers.
- Shared Responsibility – Is a division of responsibilities. In grades 1-9 the school must teach a minimum of 50% and 20% in high school. You can choose to teach certain subjects and have the school teach some. In this situation, funding will be split with yourself and the school.
Is There Funding for Homeschoolers?
- There is funding for homeschoolers in Alberta. The amount you receive is determined by how much the government gives to public school students. Home educators receive ¼ of that funding amount. The willing supervising school is responsible for providing the parent with their share of the funding. This amount is per child, per year. There is no funding for school provided programs of distance education. There is also no funding for school provided programs of distance education. For home education there are items that can be reimbursed. For reimbursement, those must be listed on the learning plan. To find the guidelines, check out: Home Education Reimbursement Standards – Alberta Government.
- You can’t write off any of your homeschooling expenses on your taxes.
- Homeschooling in Alberta does not exempt you from paying school taxes.
- Don’t worry, Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive. Read more about the costs of homeschooling here: Let’s Talk About: Finances – Schoolio.io
Where Can I Get More Help and Advice for Homeschooling in Alberta?
- There are several great resources available for new homeschooling parents in Alberta!
- Our Blog section has information from planning to finances to socializing to Kindergarten: Blog – Schoolio.io
- Covid Homeschooling- Canada, is a facebook community complete dedicated to helping new homeschoolers in Canada: Covid Homeschooling- Canada | Facebook
- The Canadian Homeschooler has so many resources for new to veteran homeschoolers: Home – The Canadian Homeschooler
- Alberta Ministry of Education’s website: Education | Alberta.ca
- Also look at: Alberta Learning Outcomes My Child’s Learning: A Parent Resource (learnalberta.ca)
- And, Alberta Homeschooling Association First Steps to Homeschooling and How to Homeschool in Alberta (albertahomeschooling.ca)
