Parent Directed Homeschooling

Parent-Directed Home Education at Argyll: An Argyll Advantage!
A parent-directed home education program allows for maximum parental input and responsibility.  The parent is primary
educator, while the Argyll teacher provides support and assists with student learning and evaluation.  This program allows
the most flexibility in terms of resource selection and the educational focus for your child’s year.   

 
Created in CreArtIT class studying artist Marc Franz by Grade 2 student

Parents and students will enjoy the Argyll benefits:

• Experienced, Alberta certified, supportive teachers
• access to Argyll lending library and resources aligned to Alberta Program of Studies in all grades and subjects
• Teachers who are supportive of and knowledgeable about home education
• Just in time, 24/7, and from the comfort of your home and computer: access to Argyll k-12 learning and teaching
  online community regardless of location in Alberta. Below is a small sample of the kinds of resources we provide
  in our gated learning community for parents and students in a well-resourced digital bookshelf across 16 learning
  areas, in grades 1-12. 

• Natural Learning Community in Edmonton onsite
• Onsite, toll free, e-mail, Sametime instant messenger, ELive Open Office access to Argyll teacher
• Optional assistance in developing an Individual Education Plan for my child
• assistance in building and individual education plan
• Just in time and ongoing ability to update your education plans from year to year using online technology 
• Free access to Science kits (Gr. 1-9) that include multiple hands-on activities and supplies for investigating
  various Science topics
• 2 yearly progress contacts offered through parent choice of: On site Learning Fairs, ELive Learning Fairs,
  Google Apps

Read this parent's feedback regarding the parent/student/teacher year end visit where all travelled through technology
to share student learning:  

"As a parent, I found the elive session was very efficient. We were able to select many samples of work to share and
submit before our session. Once understanding the process of uploading the work, it was quite easy and effective. The
discussion in the session was more based on the communication between the student and facilitator, which provided
great feedback on both sides.

 As a student, the boys found it very comfortable to share their work from home. They enjoyed using the powerpoint to
present and discuss their work in detail. The feedback was very positive and encouraging. Seeing their work on the
screen and being able to share it in an elive session, gave them a sense of pride and ownership of their work. Thank you
again for working so hard to get their work on display for the session."

• Ongoing collaborative learning communities using leading edge collaborative education technology Google Apps,
  Moodle Forums
• Field Trips, Home School Days, online ELive Programs offered through: Scheduler, School News, Parent Directed
  Google App Sharing
• collaborative online learning supports for sharing amongst multi-aged parent-directed students
• access to project based learning supports in Argyll k-12 learning and teaching online community 
• access to just in time online communication, coaching, and feedback to support student success and
  intervention through online education technology tools, including blogs, and learning forums. 
• Monthly ELive Parent Curriculum Sharing/Ongoing Google Apps Parent Curriculum Sharing
• K-12 Curriculum Bank in our Parent -directed learning community
• Optional access to extensive digital resources aligned to the Alberta Program of studies including complete
  course materials in all grades and subjects ($300/ family)
• 50% for the student funding received by Edmonton Public Schools  in supplemental funding, made available
  through reimbursement
• G-mail Account

Comment from Argyll teacher about our online student support services:

"Today a student shared his portfolio from Paris and we celebrated his learning from a round-the-world bike trip! He
shared his blog with me.  This afternoon a student who is travelling in South Africa shared his learning portfolio. I was able
to spend quality time with the students and parents and focus on supporting the parents and student learning!"

Created in CreArtIT class studying artist Gustav Klimt by Grade 4 student

• Selection of student outcomes that you will focus on in your Home Education program (if you are not using the
  Alberta Program of Studies, refer to the Schedule of general learning outcomes in the Home Education
  Regulation).  Your general learning outcome can be your “big idea” or main goal for your child’s learning this year,
  and may apply to more than one subject.
• A list of learning activities, and an explanation of how they will enable your child to achieve the general learning
  outcomes you have selected.
• The instructional methods and resources you will use in language arts, math, science and social studies.
• Your plan for evaluating your child’s learning.

An Home Education Plan is available for you to download and save to submit to your teacher.   This electronic form can also function as a record of student learning, as you can update it whenever you want about activities, field trips, or student accomplishments as they occur in the year.   

The Role of Assessment in Home Education

 There are many different reasons to assess, and many different ways to assess student learning.  As your child’s 

primary educator, you will undoubtedly assess your child informally on a daily basis through observation and tailor
their program accordingly.  Unit or chapter tests can inform you what concepts your child understands and what
concepts require additional instruction.  Assignments and projects can be an opportunity for students to
demonstrate understanding of concepts while at the same time developing time management, researching, writing,
or presenting skills.  Recitals, scrapbooks, blogs, and other displays can be a way for students to “show off” and
celebrate their learning with others.  It is strongly recommended that you include a variety of forms of assessment
 in your IEP.Formal assessment can play a valuable role in Home Education.  Some families choose to have their
child formally assessed on an annual basis to confirm that their child’s learning is progressing.  Other families like
to have their children participate in formal testing so their child is better prepared for future formal testing
experiences. Many of the formal testing options available at Argyll can be done at home, administered by a parent
or proctor. There are comprehensive tests that assess a student’s abilities in multiple areas, as well as tests
specific to one subject.  Students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 have the opportunity to write the Provincial Achievement
Tests (PATs).  Students in all grades have the opportunity to write the Highest Level of Achievement Test (HLAT),
a reading and writing test that is administered in the Spring.  Please talk to your teacher about the many testing
options available.

A Record of student learning
The Home Education Regulation states that parents must evaluate their child’s learning at regular intervals.  
Of course, informal evaluations of your child’s learning will occur on a very frequent basis.  It is recommended
that your child’s learning is formally evaluated at least every two months by you in the method you choose.  
As part of your evaluation of your child’s learning, you need to maintain a record of student learning for your child.  
This record can be a chart, portfolio, scrapbook, journal, the electronic Home Education Plan, or other format, but
should include the following: 

• Dated samples of student work
• A general record of the student’s activities (e.g. swimming lessons on Monday, art classes, etc.)
• Results of assessments (marked assignments, tests, quizzes, etc.)
• Evaluation of student learning

The Argyll teacher will assess your child’s progress at least twice in the school year.  This can be a great time to
celebrate your child’s accomplishments.  Please ensure that your child is available to be present for at least one of
these evaluations.  Bringing work samples and your record of student learning can help your teacher to evaluate
your child and make specific recommendations.  If there is insufficient evidence for your teacher to evaluate your
child’s progress, an alternative assessment or request for work samples may be made.

See also our guide on Creating a Home Education Portfolio of Student Work.

More information about Alberta Community Based Home Schooling Groups