Ministry Policy Site

Policy Document: Distributed Learning - General

This page sets forth the Ministry policy entitled "Distributed Learning - General ". Scroll down for details, or click any of the anchors below to move directly to a specific part of the policy document.

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TITLE

Distributed Learning - General

DATES

July 1, 2007

STATUS

Revised

POLICY STATEMENT

A board or authority in BC may provide all or part of an educational program by means of distributed learning. A board or authority may operate a distributed learning school only if it has signed an agreement with the Minister.

RATIONALE

Distributed learning provides the flexibility to meet learning needs of many BC students not served through conventional school programs. Schools in rural and urban communities may have difficulty offering a full range of courses and program options to all students, and distributed learning can expand equitable access to education, specifically providing choice for those students who have restricted options.

LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS

School Act, Section 75 (4.1)

ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

Definition- “Distributed Learning”: A method of instruction that relies primarily on indirect communication between students and teachers, including internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing, or correspondence.

Definition- “Distributed Learning School”: A school or francophone school that offers instruction by means of distributed learning only.
POLICY

Boards or authorities that operate a distributed learning school or program must enter into an Agreement with the Minister and be able to demonstrate that the school or program which the Agreement covers:

  • Meets all of the requirements of the School Act and Legislation.
  • Meets all of the requirements of the Distributed Learning Agreement between the Board of Education and the Ministry.

The Distributed Learning Agreement between the Ministry and board or authority will ensure that the board or authority:

  • commits to meet or exceed BC standards for distributed learning.
  • aligns its website to meet Ministry requirements.
  • ensures it has supports in place to comply with the Ministry policy and standards, including resource investment.
  • provides training and professional development for teachers, and employs only teachers who have experience and/or training in distributed learning methodology.
  • meets policy and agreement expectations related to funds for designated resources to parents.
  • provides records and reports on student achievement.
  • works to achieve high participation rates in FSA.
  • provides accurate information to the LearnNowBC web service
PROCEDURES

N/A.
REFERENCES/ RESOURCES

Distributed Learning
BC Distributed Learning Standards
Clarification of Distributed Learning and Homeschooling.
Distributed Learning Agreement

LearnNow BC

CONTACT

If you have any questions relating to this policy, please contact the Distributed Learning Unit, Information Department.

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