Frequently Asked Questions
Parents wishing to educate their children at home are different from the majority who simply send their children to school. Being different produces anxieties leading to many questions. The following are the most common questions Education Unlimited receives.
1. What is home education?
Home education is really a life style that involves the whole family experiencing the entire educational processes of each child every day. A school program delivered at your home may be home-based but is not home education.
Education Unlimited has a clear vision of what home education should be.
2. Why home educate?
There are a variety of motivations for a home-based education. The most common is the desire to deliver an educational program within the Christian world view of the family. Other reasons include concern for academic standards, social problems within the school or simply a belief that only home educating parents can fully know and meet the needs of each child individually.
Education Unlimited believes home education to be the best way to prepare a child for life.
3. Is there a difference between home schooling and home educating?
Yes. A home education program is delivered to a student by a parent outside the structured learning environment of a school. If a school is directly involved in a child's education, it becomes a school program based at home and therefore home schooling. A true home education is directed entirely by the parents, who determine the curriculum, scope, sequence and expectations in keeping with the learning abilities of each child.
Education Unlimited specializes in and accepts notification for traditional home education programs only.
4. Are there different approaches to home education?
Absolutely! There are as many approaches as parents and children. Some parents prefer more structure. Others emphasize academics while others include more hands-on activities. Home education allows parents to find and use the best methods for each child. The only approach that is not good is one that doesn't work for an individual child.
Education Unlimited is experienced in all manner of educational approaches.
5. What curriculum should be used?
Today, there is almost too much curriculum to choose from. Programs vary from work packages to textbooks/workbooks similar to a classroom style of programming. Some parents like to do unit studies where everyone can be involved. As the parents become more experienced and relaxed home educators, they will be able to take their cues from the children themselves in deciding the best curriculum to use. Your facilitator and fellow home educators are your best resources in helping with your curriculum choices.
Education Unlimited believes that no matter what materials you choose, it will help to foster growth and your child will experience learning.
6. Will my children have to take provincial exams?
New Home Education Regulations no longer require students to take provincial exams.
Education Unlimited makes standardized tests available.
7. Will I have to follow a school schedule?
You will find that because you can accomplish much more in a shorter time than a teacher in a classroom with twenty or more students, you will spend less time in school work, leaving more time for other learning activities. As the parent, you are in charge and will be able to establish a schedule that fits your family.
Education Unlimited believes learning occurs at all times.
8. Can I ruin my child's future?
A loving parent does no harm to their child. An individualized program that meets the needs, strengths and skills of a child, delivered directly and uniquely by a parent leads to a properly educated, well-adjusted, and responsible adult.
Education Unlimited believes that parents willing to commit the time and energy to educate their children will be successful.
9. What about my child's post-secondary options?
Parents are not responsible for choosing a child's career as post-secondary choices are a personal matter. Should post-secondary training be required for a child to fulfill their chosen vocation, admission is usually not difficult. Education Unlimited has been diligently researching post-secondary institutions and admission criteria for many years. More information can be found on the Post-Secondary link.
Education Unlimited has been successful at facilitating the admission of students in post-secondary institutions across Canada.
10. Who can I ask for help?
The staff of Education Unlimited is available to answer your questions and concerns at any time.
Your facilitator is required to visit your family twice in the school year, but is available by phone for any concerns regarding your program. As well, there are a number of home school support groups within the province, made up of like-minded parents. The support group is a good source of encouragement as well as information, field trips and other activities.
A current list of support groups is available at aheaonline.com
Education Unlimited is aware of the anxieties that concern and overwhelm home educators about the future of their children and we are there to encourage and support you.
11. Who is eligible for home education?
Learning starts the day we are born and continues until death. Parents are indeed involved in home education as long as a child is at home. Anyone can register (notify) for home education as long as their child is at least five(5) years of age by the end of February of any given school year and not older than nineteen(19) years of age by August 31 of the school year. Registrations (notifications) must be received before September 30 of the school year to qualify for funding.
Education Unlimited believes that children should start when they are ready and continue until their vocation is fulfilled.
12. What about special needs children?
Special needs children are often best educated at home by loving parents who are aware of the needs and abilities of their child. The Government of Alberta, however, does not make special funding and programs available to home educated special needs children. This discriminates against parents who have chosen to keep their special needs children out of the public schools. Home educating parents of special needs children need to continue to lobby the government to rectify this injustice. At this time special needs students receive basic funding for home education.
Education Unlimited believes that parents of special needs children should also have education choices and be able to access special needs programs and services. To that end, Education Unlimited has initiated a provincial organization to address special needs concerns.
13. What are my responsibilities regarding my children?
When a parent chooses to educate a child at home, they take on the full responsibility of providing instruction in all academic and non-academic subjects in keeping with the child's individuality. Home education requires a great deal of parental commitment and is not recommended for parents lacking the conviction that it is the best option for their children.
Education Unlimited trusts parental judgment regarding what is best for their children.
14. What are my responsibilities regarding notification?
The Province of Alberta requires parents to notify a school board regarding their intention to educate their children at home. Parents have the option of registering (notifying) with the resident school board or a willing non-resident school board in the Province of Alberta. There are a number of willing non-resident boards accepting home educated students, but not all boards are supportive of parental choice in education. It is highly recommended that you question potential boards thoroughly in order to be sure that you share similar philosophies.
Education Unlimited's have taken their leadership responsibilities seriously, doing all that they can to encourage home educating parents to do the same in their homes.
15. What about funding?
Although funding makes things easier, there is no correlation between the amount of money spent and the quality of education. Parents should never make funding the compelling reason for choosing a board with which to register (notify). It can generally be stated that the more funding that is offered the less freedom parents have regarding programming.
Education Unlimited provides the basic home education funding while advancing the maximum parental freedom.
16. What makes Education Unlimited different from other boards?
Education Unlimited has a vision and a heart for home education.
- We have expertise from kindergarten to post-secondary.
- We honor and advocate the parents' rights and responsibilities in educating their children.
- We trust and encourage parents to make sound educational choices regarding their children.
- We do not intimidate or interfere with parental choices, but offer sound professional advice when needed.
- We believe that each child is uniquely created complete with a purpose and place and we are here to provide leadership and expertise in best preparing children for their vocations.
The founders and staff of Education Unlimited are proactive leaders whose contributions to home education are benefitting home educating families in the Province of Alberta and across this nation.
Register (notify) with Education Unlimited
Education Unlimited is a willing non-resident board accepting registrations (notifications) from parents anywhere in Alberta wanting freedom of choice and control over the education of their children.