Blended Programming

Blended programming is an educational alternative in Alberta. It was developed as a compromise between home-based and school-based learning. (see A History Of Home Education And Blended Programming In Alberta). In Alberta, every student between the ages of six and sixteen must be registered for education with a school board. School boards receive a basic grant for each student registered with them for the delivery of educational programs but receive a reduced amount of approximately 25% of the regular school grant for students registered for home education, with half the funds being mandated to go to the parents for the purchase of educational supplies and services (Parent Resources), and the other half for the administration of the program.

Traditional home education is normally referred to as a parent-directed and delivered program that uses curriculum of the parents’ choice that best reflect the faith, goals and ambitions of the parents and the individual needs, talents and interests of the child. Essentially, it is a program delivered entirely by a parent outside the structured learning environment of a school. Funding for such a program is such that parents receive one half of the 25% of the regular school base funding. (See Alberta Home Education Funding Explained)

Blended programming is made up of two components, a parent-directed portion where the educational responsibility belongs to the parent and a school-directed portion where the entire educational program is to be assumed by the school. Funding in this case is a little more complicated as most providers of blended programs offer greater amounts of funding to parents than what would normally be expected for a traditional home education.

Although the choice of program belongs to parents, many parents are making decisions to get involved in programming they know little about. Parents need to be properly informed (see Blended or Mixed.....up?) and prepared to question (see Questions a Christian Should Ask…) those with whom they are or will be involved in the education of their children.

Education Unlimited does not, has not and will not provide any form of blended education.

Alberta Resident Home Educators.

I've been a professional educator for over 30 years, and I am very familiar with how the system works. Within the various positions that I have held, I have witnessed questionable activity within the systems, especially with respect to financial matters. In my current role as a home education facilitator I have been hearing first-hand stories that raise questions about the philosophical and ethical nature of the blended program. As it seemed there was a notable absence of vigilance on the part of those to whom we have entrusted home education leadership and government officials regarding the advancement of blended programming, I felt a responsibility to inform all those associated, with the practice and the threat. My concerns are outlined below:

1) Blended programs are not the same as traditional home education. In theory at least, blended programs are like allowing the public education system part-way into your home. Since for many people home education was a way to escape the public education system, why would parents then allow the public system into their homes? Those wanting a Bible-based home education should know that public programming is most certainly not Bible-based. Many home educators have probably not considered this philosophical issue.

2) There is increasing evidence that some blended program providers may not be following the rules. Blended programs receive a lot more government money than traditional home education programs, so boards have a strong incentive to lure people into blended programs. If government-established rules are not being followed then parents involved are complicit in the activity. Furthermore, if action is taken to expose or end fraudulent activity, traditional home education could be included and harmed. Christian home educators may not have considered this ethical issue.

3) My greatest concern is for the overall integrity and protection of Christian home educators who would not have a secular program and who have no desire to delegate their responsibilities to educate their children. Similar situations in other jurisdictions in North America and abroad have eventually led to the extinction of options with the consequence of limiting freedom in home education. Like the proverbial “Frogs in Water”, these situations did not occur overnight, but gradually as those who should have been vigilant found themselves compromising for what seemed to be the “greater good” only to find that this “greater good” excluded the very things they should have been protecting. The home education community may not be aware of this potential threat.

Please read the included articles and after you have studied the information presented, write to us about your blended programming / traditional home education experience. This information is being sought in an effort to collect objective data in support of traditional home education as well as to document abuse of process. Please note that anonymous entries cannot be accepted as verification is necessary to legitimize the information collected.

Thank you.
Léo Gaumont

Blended Programming

Personal Blended Programming/Home Education Experience