Distributed Learning vs. Homeschooling

The differences between Distributed Learning (DL) and Homeschooling programs are as follows:

Distributed Learning Students:

Homeschooled Children:

Students are enrolled in a public or independent school distributed learning program where the majority of the learning takes place at a distance:

DL program is the responsibility of the public or independent school
DL program is directed and supervised by a British Columbia-certified teacher (parents may assist in facilitating the learning process, but are not the teachers)
DL program must meet provincial standards as outlined in the School Act or Independent School Act
Students must receive on-going regular assessments, report cards, provincial letter grades and a permanent student record, as would students in a neighbourhood school

Homeschooled children are registered at a school (public, francophone or independent school) in the province by September 30^th each year:

Homeschooled children's educational program is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide and supervise the educational program.
Homeschooling program does not have to meet provincial standards
Homeschooling is not inspected by the Ministry of Education
Homeschoolers in Grades 10 to 12 have the option to write provincial exams
Students do not receive a British Columbia Dogwood graduation certificate

Distributed Learning Schools:

Homeschooling:

School districts receive the same annual per-pupil funding for students enrolled in a distributed learning program as they do for students enrolled in a school;
Independent schools receive either 50% (Group 1) or 35% (Group 2) of the per pupil public school distributed learning rate.
Public schools must offer a strictly secular program as per the School Act.
Independent school distributed learning may incorporate faith-based curriculum as
provided for in the
Independent School Act.

All public distributed learning programs in British Columbia must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Public School Distance Education Policy.

All independent school distributed learning programs must meet the Independent School Distributed Learning Standards.

A registering school district receives $250 per child and an independent school receives $175.
These funds are provided for administering the registration process and offering educational resources and assessment instruments to parents.
Homeschooled children may write Grade 12 provincial examinations at their registering school and receive a Ministry examination (not course) mark.

Comparisons at a glance	Traditional Homeschooling	Public School DL	Independent School DL
Must meet the Learning Outcomes of the B.C. curriculum	No	Yes	Yes
Learning must be supervised by a B.C. teacher	No	Yes	Yes
Students must use District or school approved resources	No	Yes	Yes
Student’s progress must be evaluated by teacher; report cards are to be prepared by teacher 3 times a year	No	Yes	Yes
Must participate in Provincial testing. (Graduation Exams and Foundation Skills Assessment, grades 4 & 7)	No	Yes	Yes
Religious texts/resources may be used	Yes	No	Yes
Status of student with school	Registered	Enrolled	Enrolled

To obtain more information about Distributed Learning, please contact:

Public School Distributed Learning
EDUC.DistributedLearning@gov.bc.ca

Homeschooling or Independent School Distributed Learning
EDUC.independentSchoolsOffice@gov.bc.ca