Ministry Policy Site

Distributed Learning - Policy for homeschoolers

July 1, 2007

Updated

A child entitled to enrol in grades K-9 may enrol in only one educational program with a board or authority, or register for homeschooling at any school in the province, but not both. The board or authority that enrols a student in a K-9 distributed learning (DL) school or program must provide a complete educational program, satisfying requirements established in legislation. Boards or authorities may make arrangements with one another to deliver an educational program for a student.

Building upon the flexibility that generally exists in the Graduation Program grades, students taking instruction through distributed learning in grades 10 through 12 may enrol with boards or authorities operating distributed learning school s or programs. Some of these students may attend school part-time and be registered in homeschooling. The flexibility for persons entitled to enrol in grades 10-12 to take additional courses through distributed learning while registered in homeschooling is provided through this policy.

School Act, Section 3.1

"distributed learning" means a method of instruction that relies primarily on indirect communication between students and teachers, including Internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing or correspondence.

"distributed learning school" means a school or francophone school that offers instruction to its students by means of distributed learning only.

"homeschooling" or “home education” means an educational program provided to a child by a parent that is not under the supervision or direction of a qualified teacher.

For children entitled to enrol in grades K through 9:

• A child may enrol in one educational program with a board or authority, or register as a homeschooler at any school in the province, but not both.
• A board or authority enrolling a child in an educational program must satisfy program requirements established in legislation. A board cannot provide only a portion of an educational program to a student who is also engaged in homeschooling.
• A child registered as a homeschooler may attend educational programs offered by a board or authority, subject to any terms and conditions established by the board including the payment of a fee. However, a child does not receive credit for taking instruction in this manner.
• When a child registered as a homeschooler enrols in a grade K-9 educational program provided by a board or authority the child loses homeschooling status.

For persons of school age and entitled to enrol in grades 10 through 12:

• A person of school age eligible to enrol in grades 10-12 can register as a homeschooler and enrol as a student with a board or authority operating a distributed learning school or program. That board or authority can claim that student for funding under distributed learning funding policy and procedure.
• Should registered homeschoolers wish to take courses that are not delivered through distributed learning, they may attend an educational program offered by the board subject to terms and conditions established by the board, including the payment of a fee. However, in these circumstances, credit is not awarded for the educational program or course.
• A registered homeschooler that enrols in a course offered through a regular school program, not a distributed learning school or program, becomes an enrolled student and is no longer registered as a homeschooler.

Adults cannot register for homeschooling.

1. Parents seeking to homeschool their children:

• Register at a public or independent school;
• Deliver instruction at home
• Exercise complete independence and control over their children’s’ education;
• May use any learning resource of their choice;
• Are not obligated to follow provincially prescribed curriculum;
• Do not receive provincial credit for course work, and are not eligible to receive a grade 12 Dogwood graduate diploma.

2. Distributed learning school students:

• May learn at home;
• Enrol in a public or independent distributed learning school
• Are obligated to meet prescribed learning outcomes in Provincial or Board/Authority Approved courses;
• Must use only learning resources recommended by the Ministry of Education or approved by the Board or Authority;
• If enrolled in an independent school, may use religious materials as part of their educational program;
• Must have a BC College of Teachers certified teacher lead their educational program, including assignment of activities and assessment of work;
• Have formal report cards issued by the DL school to account for educational program progress;
• Participate in provincial assessments (Foundation Skills Assessment and provincial examinations).

Distributed Learning Funding Policy
Operating Grants Manual
Differences between Distributed Learning and Homeschooling

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