Home Schooling Handbook

Home Schooling Handbook A Guide to Educating Your Child at Home

Home Schooling Handbook Table of Contents Introduction p.1 Your Assigned School p.4 Home School Curriculum p.5 Assessment & Evaluation p.6 The Home Educators Plan Book p.7 Special Considerations for High School Students p.8 Appendices

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Introduction Families may choose to home school for any number of reasons. However, teaching your children at home is not a simple process, as any experienced home school parent is aware. Parents deciding to explore this option should be well informed of their obligations under the Schools Act as well as the many curriculum options and expectations around assessment and evaluation of their child(ren) s progress. The Legal Framework for Home Instruction - Schools Act, 1997 The following sections of the Schools Act, 1997 establish the legal framework for the approval and administration of home instruction: A parent has the right to request home instruction. Section 6(1) A parent of a student may provide at home or elsewhere, instruction for that student where the student is excused from attending a school under paragraph 5(c). All students must be registered in a school; however, the Director can approve that a student can be excused from school for the purpose of home instruction. Sections 4. (1) A person who on December 31 in a school year is 6 years of age or older, and on September 1 in a school year is younger than 16 years of age shall attend a school for the entire school year. Sections 5. (c)... a student is excused from attending a school when the student, (c) with the prior written approval of the Director, is under instruction satisfactory to the Director, at home or elsewhere, for a period specified by the Director; Sections 6. (2) A student who is excused from attending school under paragraph 5. (c) Shall be enrolled under Section 15. Sections 15 A parent of a child required to attend school under Section 4 shall present that child for enrollment in a school. A parent of a student who moves his or her place of residence within the province or who takes up residence in the province shall present the student for 1 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD enrollment in a school within one week of moving to his or her new residence or of taking up residence in the province. Each approval is limited to one school year with an annual requirement for re-application by the parents. Section 7 The period for which a student may be excused from attending a school under paragraph 5. (c) Shall be valid for no longer than a school year, and may be renewed upon application to the Director each school year. Refusal or neglect by a parent to ensure a child s registration and attendance at a school is an offense. Section 17 A parent who neglects or refuses to enroll his or her child in school or does not make every reasonable effort to ensure that his or her child attends school is guilty of an offence. A person who by threat, intimidation or otherwise prevents or attempts to prevent the attendance of a child at school is guilty of an offence. A conviction under this section does not bar further prosecution for the continued contravention of this section and each day s continued contravention shall constitute a separate offence. A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both a fine and imprisonment. Home Schooling in the Context of the Schools Act 1. All children who are of compulsory attendance age must be enrolled with a school district and assigned to a school in accordance with the provisions of the School Act. This means that the student is entitled to all benefits available to students at that school (texts, etc. where applicable). Also, curriculum guides and teacher guides will be made available to parents, free of charge, from the Learning Resource Distribution Centre. 2. Parents have the legal right to request that their child(ren) be excused from attendance at school to facilitate home schooling. 3. Directors are obliged to consider parental requests for exemption. 4. Since students are enrolled in a school, the school remains responsible for assessment and promotion. 5. The school district remains legally responsible for ensuring the student s right to an education program. 2 P a g e

Process for Requesting Home Instruction Home Schooling Handbook NCSD The process that is involved in making a decision to allow for home instruction has the following expectations: 1. All students must register in a school 2. Written requests for home instruction will be considered for approval by the Director of Education. 3. A request should specify a) The curriculum proposed to be used by the parents for home instruction; b) A description of the place of study (the frequented study area); c) The daily instructional routine and teaching methodologies employed; and d) A plan for student evaluation must be agreed upon. Consideration of Requests for Home Schooling In considering requests for home schooling, the Director should a) Take whatever measures deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that regularly scheduled instruction will take place during the period of home schooling; and b) Ensure that provision is made for evaluation of student learning. If the request for home schooling is accompanied by a request to use an alternate curriculum, the Director will consider this request and forward it to district personnel for a curriculum review. c) District Personnel will meet with the home school teacher, parent(s) and student to discuss and review the home schooling application and recommend either approval of the application or areas of concern which must be addressed before the application can be approved. 3 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Your Assigned School Your child should already be registered in the school for your prescribed attendance zone. If you have not registered your child, you will be required to do so before home schooling approval will be granted. Once registered, your child will also be assigned to a homeroom class as would any child in the school. Upon approval of your home schooling application your child s attendance will be recorded in the class register as H (Home-school excused). The school will also begin and maintain a cumulative record for your child, which will later include work samples and reports submitted by you demonstrating your child s progress in the home school. If you have decided to follow the provincial curriculum, your connection to the school will be essential. The principal of the assigned school will provide you the necessary course outlines, curriculum guides (which are also available online), and student textbooks. Whenever possible the principal will also provide copies of teacher s guides to texts, of course all of this material is provided on loan and it is expected you will care for and return the resources. From time-to time other resources may be made available on loan, as requested, provided that the lending of the materials does not hinder in-school programming. Students may also be welcome to sign out books from the school library. Wherever possible without disruption to the school and when no special transportation is required the principal may accommodate home school students in elective courses at the school as requested. Approved home school students are also welcome to participate in special events such as school Science and Heritage Fairs, extra-curricular events and activities. Curriculum Guides and other support materials can be found online at the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education web page. http://www.gov.nf.ca/edu/ 4 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Home School Curriculum Many Home School teachers will choose to follow the Prescribed Provincial Curriculum following the online curriculum guides and planning their teaching and learning activities accordingly. The curriculum to be followed in all home schools must be approved in advance, according to the procedures/guidelines which follow. Prescribed Provincial Core Curriculum or an approved alternate is to be followed in a minimum of five areas of study: English Literature, Reading English Language, Creative Writing Mathematics Science(s) Social Studies In addition to the requirements of the core curriculum, a minimum of two electives should be taken. These should be selected from areas such as: Religious Education Physical Education French language Art / Music / Fine Arts Practical Arts (Home Economics, Auto Mechanics, Computer) An alternative curriculum other than that prescribed by the Department of Education may be followed in the core curriculum areas under the following conditions: A. Approval to follow the alternative curriculum must be obtained in advance. B. The proposed curriculum must be compared with the Provincial essential learning outcomes as articulated in the various Levels Handbooks. C. Where deficiencies are noted, supplementary resources and/or strategies must be in place to compensate. D. The Assistant Director of Education - Programs, in consultation with other Board programs personnel, must have approved an alternative curriculum for the grade level requested. E. The implications for high school credit and possible university entrance must be considered when approving any home school program. F. The costs of the home school program are the full responsibility of the parent(s) except as provided in Section 9 of the District s Policy. 5 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Assessment and Evaluation While it is realized that a child s progress in the home school cannot be determined unless approval has been given and some home instruction has taken place, it is necessary to determine whether satisfactory instruction is being maintained. Responsibility for evaluating a child s progress remains with the school and the school district. This responsibility is not diminished by the fact that approval has been given to excuse the child from attendance. It is therefore necessary that learning be evaluated as thoroughly as is required to measure progress. In using evaluation as one of the factors which determine whether or not satisfactory instruction is being maintained the child s progress should be compared with his or her past progress in a school setting and with that of other children in his or her class during the period in which home instruction has taken place. Such evaluation can be effected either in the home setting or by having the child attend school for a period of time as a specified condition of exemption. District Expectations Relating to Student Evaluation All students engaged in home instruction will be evaluated in relation to the Department of Education outcomes for that grade level. A copy of these outcomes, along with a list of suggested resource materials, will be available through the school. Parents will maintain a portfolio of all students work labeled either independent or parent assisted to be forwarded to the school for assessment during the home school consultations. At the request of the school, the student and/or parents will meet in the school setting to discuss samples of student work completed and for assessment of objectives, which cannot be evaluated without one-to-one contact. From time to time, and in consultation with the appropriate district office personnel, the school will evaluate the overall effectiveness of the student s instructional program. Recommendations for change will be forwarded to the Director where necessary. Both parents may be present at the evaluation when possible. For evaluation purposes parents agree to meet a minimum of three times per year with school officials at times that are mutually agreeable, typically in conjunction with the reporting periods. All home school students will be required to write the provincial Criterion Referenced Tests or CRTs as requested. These tests are typically completed in grades three, six and nine. Learn Discover Achieve 6 P a g e

The Home Educator s Plan Book Home Schooling Handbook NCSD It is recommended that you keep a plan book to help organize your lessons and materials. This also serves as a record of covered material. If you are using a pre-packaged curriculum such as ACE, your program may include a teacher s binder, if not you will want to begin one of your own. If you are following the provincial curriculum you will be required to maintain a plan book. Your plan book should be in a constant state of refinement. As you find new ideas or develop them, incorporate them into your book. Don t keep anything that just isn t working out. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Use a 3" or larger 3-ring binder with side pockets. Be sure to get one that you like because you ll be seeing lots of it! You might also need one or more packages of 8- tab colored index dividers, 2-pocket divider pages (can double as section dividers) and a zippered pencil bag. You can make your own weekly assignment sheets, typing one up and photocopying enough for the semester or year. Some homeschoolers like to copy each student s pages on different colored paper for easy identification (if you keep separate daily assignment sheets for each student). Punch hole in the pages to fit them into your binder. Possible lay-out for assignment sheets: Across the top will be spaces for the dates that week. Below that put headings- SUBJECTS, MON., TUES., WEDS., etc. Then down the side, list the subjects you are studying for that semester or year. (Rows may also be added for piano lessons, meetings, field trips, etc.) Now, draw lines to form a grid, making sure each square has room for brief notes of what is to be done for that subject that day. Suggestion: as assignments are completed, check off that box. You can tell at a glance what remains to be done. Always write in pencil so that you can erase and adjust as necessary. You might put your book together in the following manner, labeling section dividers as you go. Be sure to arrange it in the order that suits you most. Section I Weekly Planning Sheets You might want to rotate pages from the front of this section to the back as they are used, or you can use paper clips to mark your place for easy reference. Blank Pages A blank page after each weekly planning page can be for notes on progress, areas of concern or a weekly overview. Used Planning Sheets Keep your old planning sheets as a record of what you have done. A Calendar Use a calendar for the current month to get an overview of activities, tests, field trips. You might also put in this section a copy of the local public school calendar and a yearly calendar. Attendance Sheet. This is an important part of your home school documentation. Assessment & Evaluation Keep a record of any tests or assignments given and progress or grades earned. 7 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Section II Sections for each general subject. This can include ideas for teaching, possible projects, copies of instructions, test keys, etc. You can use pocket dividers or page protectors for anything you don t want to punch holes into. (Page protectors are available fairly inexpensively at an office supply store.) Section III Support Group Information. Section IV Reading List- a list of books your students have read and perhaps what they would like to get on the next trip to the library. Section V Samples of Your Students Work-written work and art work. These should also be put into page protectors. *You may be requested to bring your plan book to the school conference. Special Considerations for High School Students The Department of Education is the only provincial agency that can approve the awarding of credits toward a Newfoundland high school graduation certificate, and to determine the equivalency for courses offered outside the prescribed curriculum. Home schooled students who are completing the provincial curriculum with the intention of earning a Newfoundland high school graduation certification shall complete regular evaluation processes in each subject as determined by the school (if the school is to submit marks to the Department on the student s behalf). These students must adhere to all common and in-school examination regulations. * High schools shall not award any credits or certificates of graduation other than those approved through the Department of Education. 8 P a g e

Home Schooling Handbook NCSD Notes: 9 P a g e

Appendices Listing of Approved Alternative Curricula This is a listing of those programs approved to the date of the current revision. In addition to those listed, a number of other home school programs are in the approval process. Inclusion in the present list is not intended to indicate any preference for a particular program over any other. 1) ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) alternatively known as the School of Tomorrow. Home School Department School of Tomorrow P.O. Box 299000 Lewisville, Texas, 75029-9000 Phone #: 1-800-925-7777 http://www.aceministries.com/ Canadian Social Studies curricula available through Canadian Office. A.C.E. Canada Box 1360 Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 3N9 2) Calvert School (Program Evaluation in Progress) - with optional student evaluation Calvert School 105 Tuscany Road Baltimore, MD, 21210-3098 Phone #: (410) 243-6030 Fax #: (410) 366-0674 http://www.calvertschool.org/ 3) Home Study International/Griggs University (program evaluation in progress) - with optional student evaluation. Home Study International P.O. Box 4437 Fax #: (301) 680-6577 Silver Spring, MD, 20904 Phone #: (301) 680-6570 Fax #: (301) 680-6577 http://www.hsi.edu/ 4) Sonlight Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd. 8042 South Grant Way Littleton, CO 80122-2705 Phone # (303) 730-6292 Fax # (303) 795-8668 http://www.sonlight.com/ 5) ABECA A Beka Book, Inc. P.O. Box 19100 Pensacola, FL 32523-9100, U.S.A. Phone (850) 478-8933 Fax (850) 478-8558 http://www.abeka.com NCSD Approved Curricula Appendix A

Application for Home Schooling Nova Central School District 203 Elizabeth Drive Gander, NF, Canada A1V 1H6 Telephone: (709) 256-2547 Facsimile: (709) 651-3044 Web site: http://www.ncsd.ca Demographic Information 1. Student Name Male Female 2. Date of Birth 3. Date of Application Day / Month / Year Day / Month / Year 4. Present Grade Level 5. Parents/Guardians Name/s 6.a) Physical Address b) Mailing Address 7.a) Home Telephone b) Work Telephone 8. Email 9. Facsimile Educational Plan 10. Does your child have any Special Needs? Yes No 11. If yes, please specific the need/s * Please attach supporting documentation NCSD Home School Application Appendix B

12. School Assigned 13. Home Schooling Teacher 14. Outline credentials/qualifications to home school. * Please attach supporting documentation (e.g., copy of degrees, resume, etc...) 15. Describe the schedule, day-to-day activities and daily routines of your child s instructional day. NCSD Home School Application Appendix B

16. Describe the facilities (learning environment) which will be used for instruction. Please address issues related to such things as: ventilation, lighting, distractions, etc. 17. Will the Newfoundland Curriculum be used and all grade appropriate learning outcomes covered? (If No proceed to item # 20) Yes No 18. Will student textbooks be required? Yes No 19. Will teacher textbooks and curriculum guide books be required? Yes No NCSD Home School Application Appendix B

20. Identify proposed alternate curriculum. 21. Please provide a general description of proposed alternate curriculum. *If the alternate curriculum has not been approved by the Department of Education please provide a copy along with all resources materials. NCSD Home School Application Appendix B

22. Has an evaluation plan been developed in consultation with the school assigned to your child? Yes No 23. Please provide a general description of proposed evaluation plan. Address issues related to such things as: format (e.g., portfolios, tests, assignments, etc...) procedures, supervision. * Note the Nova Central School District may expect all children who are home schooled to fully participate in any standardized testing the District and/or Department of Education initiates. Parent/Guardian Date Parent/Guardian Date Parent/Guardian Date Director of Education Signature Date NCSD Home School Application Appendix B

NCSD HOME SCHOOL CONFERENCE REPORT Student Name: Parent (s): Assigned School: Address: Placement: Year: Term: Phone: Fax: Teacher (if not a parent) English Language Arts Satisfactory Progress Mathematics Satisfactory Progress Science Satisfactory Progress Social Studies Satisfactory Progress Elective 1(required): Satisfactory Progress Elective 2(required): Satisfactory Progress Elective 3(optional): Satisfactory Progress NCSD Home School Conference Report Appendix C

Strengths, Needs & Recommendations To be completed by administrator of the assigned school copied for the parent, placed on file at the school, and faxed to the NCSD District Office RE: Home School Parent: Parent: Teacher: Administrator: Date: Date: Date: Date: NCSD Home School Conference Report Appendix C