Alberta parents enjoy a range of choices for their children’s education, including the option of home education. Alberta’s School Act and its funding guidelines for education recognize the central role of parents in the education of their children.
In choosing educational programs for children, parents need to consider several factors:
• children’s interests, learning styles, strengths and needs
• the family’s beliefs and values
• available program options: regular schooling, charter schools, private schools, or home education
• costs and available financial support
• time available to support a child’s education
• legal requirements related to schooling.
In reflecting on these factors, you may decide that home education is the best option for your child. Alberta’s laws recognize your right to make that choice and authorize financial support for home education programs.
Alberta Home Education Regulation
Funding
The Alberta government uses public dollars to fund education. Funding varies according to the level of public accountability in the program. School authority programs are subject to a higher level of public accountability than home education programs and so receive a higher level of funding.
Parents providing a parent-directed home education program to their children are entitled to receive 50% of their provincial funding in the form of reimbursement for purchases that help meet the outcomes of their education plan. For the 2020/2021 school year, that amount is $1700, with $850 going to the parent.
Parents of students enrolled in a school-directed (online or distance education) do not receive financial reimbursement, as the overseeing school is expected to provide the materials and instruction needed.
More details: Standards for Home Education Reimbursement
Programs of Study
There are three types of Home Education in Alberta:
School Authority Programs
Parent has chosen to give a school authority responsibility for educating the child.
• Programs developed and delivered by public and separate schools
• Traditional schools
• Distance learning
• Charter schools
• Private schools
• Online schools
• Alternative programs
• Outreach programs
(Sometimes called "Aligned" programming, though this is just an adjective referring to the material content and is not actually an official term for the type of program. You can also choose to be aligned to the provincial curriculum on a parent-directed program.)
Home Education Progams ("Traditional")
Parent has decided to retain responsibility for educating the child.
• Packaged programs delivered but not developed by parents• Programs developed and delivered by parents or by a person named by parents
Shared Responsibility Programs ("Blended")
Parent has decided to share responsibility for educating the child with a school authority.
• The parent has responsibility for some courses.
• The school authority has responsibility for some courses.
Before deciding whether to follow the Alberta Programs of Study, you can review their contents on Alberta Education’s website at www.education.gov.ab.ca. When you decide to use something other than the Alberta Programs of Study, you annually complete and share specific plans with the associate school board or associate private school to demonstrate that learning activities relate to both your goals and beliefs and to the Schedule of Learning Outcomes. The Home Education Regulation requires the teacher from the associate board or associate private school to evaluate your child’s progress at least twice a year.
As a home educator, you probably have important community resources in mind to add to materials that you might purchase. Parents of home educated children often stress that community resources extend opportunities for their children to socialize with people of varied ages, backgrounds and interests. Home education groups in your area will help you employ a range of community resources in your program. These groups frequently organize gym programs, reading classes, projects, field trips, special activities and celebrations.
My Child's Learning (for parents)
Alberta Programs of Study
Record-Keeping
The Home Education Regulation requires that you keep dated samples of evaluation activities completed by your child. Tests, work samples and evaluation forms should be included in the collection. It is also a good idea to keep records related to your child’s personal learning goals.
It is important to note that associate boards or associate private schools are required to maintain detailed assessment-of-learning records for your child, including records from at least two evaluations of student progress completed by the associate board or private school during the year.
Registration
Each Alberta child who is six years of age but younger than 16 on September 1 must attend school. The Government of Alberta considers home education to be a school, so before proceeding with your home education program, you must notify an associate school board or associate private school. You need not enter an agreement with your local school board, called the resident school board. Many home-educating parents choose to work with a willing non-resident board or private school (i.e., a board or private school from another area of the province).
You don’t have to approach your local school board first, but resident school boards must accept a parent’s decision to home educate unless the proposed home education program is inappropriate. Arrange appointments as early as possible, ideally in the spring before the school year that the home education program will begin. Allow time to interview more than one potential associate as you want to find a board or private school with which you are comfortable.
Alberta Home Education Notification Form
High School and Post-Secondary
The completion of Grade 12 diploma requirements does not guarantee admission to a post-secondary institution - AND, many post-secondary institutions do not require a high school diploma to secure admission. There are multiple routes to college/university, and you should discuss your options with both your homeschool facilitator and the institutions you are considering.
More information:
Alberta Graduation Requirements, Credentials, and Credits
Widom Homeschooling High School Information Booklet
THEE Homeschool High School Diploma & Credits
Self-Designed Home Education High School Diploma
