You teach your children about the safety of your own home because you want what`s best for them – what`s best for your whole family. But individualized education is hard work. You don`t have time to be an expert on everything. And you certainly can`t afford to worry about legal matters. HSLDA is organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Purcellville, Virginia, which is also home to Patrick Henry College, founded in 2000 by Michael Farris. Unlike the definition of student in the Ontario Education Act, the definition of student in the Saskatchewan Act includes a person who receives instruction in a registered homeschooling program. Article 157(1) of the Law provides that a pupil may be exempted from attending a school where `the pupil receives instruction under a registered home education programme`. The Home Education Programs Regulation, first enacted in 1994 and revised in 2015, states that homeschooling children are primarily registered with the student`s residents` council. Notification of intention to homeschool must be made by August 15 before classes begin. Although they did, the laws of those provinces at the time contained no specific reference to homeschooling. But in the last 15 years, remarkable changes have been made. Twelve provinces and territories now explicitly recognize the possibility of homeschooling (under a similar name) in their legislation.
Four different terms are used in the respective education or school statutes to describe the practice: «Home Education/Home Education Program» (British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon Territory), «Home-based Education» (Saskatchewan), «Home Schooling / Home Schooling / Homeschooled/Home Schooling Program» (British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory) and «Home Instruction» (Newfoundland). HSLDA`s League of Speech and Debate split in 2001 to form the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association. That same year, Patrick Henry College was founded by Michael Farris, who served as president of the college until 2006. Today, HSLDA`s 80,000+ members receive free legal assistance when contacted by public school officials or need legal help regarding their homeschooling rights. The gradual recognition of homeschooling in the current education legislation of all but two Canadian provinces and territories effectively enshrines this educational option as a legitimate choice. In addition, an increasing number of jurisdictions have developed regulations governing the practice of homeschooling. In general, these rules cover issues such as the responsibilities of the different parties, the notification procedure and, where appropriate, the modalities of evaluation and financing, thus enhancing the official recognition of the practice. In short, the practice is increasingly seen as acceptable and less likely to be viewed with suspicion.
Under the new Education Act (formerly section 139 of the Education Act), parents no longer need to submit a copy of their proposed homeschooling program. The new notification form requires parents to sign a confirmation that they understand their responsibility. As before, the ministry can provide parents with advice and feedback on the homeschooling program. Canada is one of only three countries — the others being the United States of America and South Africa — to host a private organization staffed by full-time lawyers that serves the legal needs of home educators. These organizations not only contribute to the protection and normalization of homeschooling, but they also perform educational and support functions that contribute to the legitimization and maturation of this relatively new form of education. Each province and territory has its own laws, regulations and guidelines for homeschoolers. Some even have free resources available. HSLDA keeps you informed of the latest regulatory requirements and resources for your area. In Alberta, the government amended its education act.
As of September 2020, parents can choose 1 of 2 homeschooling options in Alberta. The Saskatchewan Education Act defines homeschooling as a program offered to a student between the ages of 6 and 18, initiated and directed by the student`s parents or guardian, in which the student is homeschooled at the student`s home. The four westernmost provinces experienced regulatory changes in the late 1990s and early 2000s – and some have since been updated – which meant that each province`s legislation not only mentions homeschooling in one form or another, but also provides for detailed regulation separate from practice in some of them.