Programs & Services

The home-based education recognizes that the parents/guardians have both the responsibility to provide for the education of their children and the right to direct their children’s education from their home. It also acknowledges parents/guardians as being the original or “first teachers.” From this premise we recognize it is the parents/guardians who are the most familiar with the student’s strengths, abilities, likes and dislikes. This knowledge is important for both parents/guardians and learners as they begin the path to developing a strong home-based learning program.

A home-based learning program is based in the home and is started and directed by the parents/guardians for their own children of compulsory school age (7-15 years). Home-based learning programs may occur before or after compulsory school age.

Treaty Right to Education

Parents/guardians have the right to select the education mode for their children. Education is “inclusive” in that a child may be educated through a federal, public, separate, independent system or at home by a parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Each child has the legal right under the signed Treaty to education. This allows parent(s) and legal guardian(s) the sole right to choose where and in what manner to educate their child. It is essential that mutual respect for their choice is essential from both parents/guardians and school officials.

How does it work?

Once the decision to home-school is made, parents/guardians will complete the registration form and submit to the authorized registrant. Parents/Guardians will be notified with 7 business days of the status of the application. If the registration is accepted, the home-based consultant will contact and arrange a suitable date to meet and begin planning the home-based education process.

Home-based schooling parents/guardians will work alongside the consultant to create and develop a written education plan. The written education plan will align with the specific learning outcomes according to the age and grade level of the learner. Learning plans are codeveloped and dates are set to monitor the progress of the plan and to offer further support to parent(s) and guardian(s).

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are expected to gather and submit material to show the child’s growth and understanding. This is done by creating an education portfolio. The portfolio is discussed at each meeting with the parent/guardian. Final submission of the full learning portfolio is due in mid-June.

Learning supports and materials are available through the organization and are authorized at the request of the Home-Based Learning Consultant. Learning support will be disbursed twice a year while learning resources are shared on a need basis.

How is assessment done?

Student assessment strategies may include: a summary of educational progress or summative record and portfolio of work, standardized testing, a third-party assessment or mutually agreed upon assessment. In addition, parents/guardians must maintain a portfolio of work and a summative record for student record keeping purposes.

What is the legal framework for home-based education?

Guiding Saskatchewan’s home-based learning are The Education Act, 1995, Home-based Education Regulations, and the Home-based Education Policy and Procedures. Authorized Registrants are required to develop local policies and procedures that adhere to the provincial legal framework. FHQ Education will adapt these policies to reflect the member nations within the Tribal Council.
What are the requirements of parents?

Recognizing the flexible and spontaneous nature of home-based learning, the regulations were written to provide freedom without burdensome requirements upon parents/guardians. Parents/Guardians are expected to follow the educational program presented in the educational plan. Parents/Guardians may arrange learning activities with tutors, private schools, public schools, federal schools, correspondence schools, or in concert with other home-school parents/guardians. Choices related to the duration and frequency of instruction belongs to the parents/guardians. Students are not required to follow a prescribed attendance schedule. Parents/Guardians must maintain a portfolio of work and summative record for each child.

How is home-based education monitored?

Home-based education is monitored by the Director and Home-Based Learning Consultant, who ensures that provincial policy and regulations are followed.