Home-based Education
At the Northwest School Division, we believe every child has the right to a rich and rewarding education. We value the vital role parents play in shaping their children's learning and understand that some families choose home-based education as the best fit for their circumstances. We welcome the opportunity to partner with and support home-based education families, following provincial legislation and Division procedures NWSD AP 270 Home-based Education.
A home-based education program:
- Is provided by the child's parent(s) or guardian(s)
- Is designed for their children between the ages of 5 and 17
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's Home-Based Education: Policy and Procedures Manual is available to help families understand their responsibilities for registering and operating a home-based education program. Families may also find the Home-based Education Q&A resource helpful when exploring this option.
Registration Information
Only students who reside within the NWSD boundaries may register with NWSD Home-based Education. To register, parents complete and submit a Notification of a Home-Based Education form and a Written Educational Plan to tf.office@nwsd.ca. To be eligible for the NWSD Homebased Education Allowance, all forms must received by September 30th. Disbursement based upon approval of education plans.
Written Educational Plan
The intent of the written educational plan is for home-based educators to demonstrate that there is a positive and constructive approach to the education of their children. The plan should be age and ability appropriate and consistent with the Goals of Education for Saskatchewan.
The written educational plan is focused on the outcomes of the home-based learner and includes:
- The reason and philosophical approach.
- A minimum of three broad annual goals in each of the four areas of study for each student.
- The means of assessing and recording the educational progress of each annual goal.
- The services that the home-based educator intends to access from the school division.
Portfolio of Work
Home-based educators shall maintain a portfolio of work for each home-based learner on their program. A portfolio of work indicates the home-based learner's progress and consists of:
- a period log; and,
- one of the following for each of the broad annual goals:
- a detailed summative record;
- sufficient samples of work; or,
- a summative record and samples of work
Annual Progress Report
Home-based educators must provide an annual progress report by June 30th of the school year. Home-based educators shall choose one of the following options for the format of each annual progress report:
- the portfolio of work and with sufficient detail for the registering authority to assess the educational progress of the home-based learner;
- test results of the home-based learner who has taken a nationally normed standardized achievement test; or,
- test results of the home-based learner who has taken a nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by the home-based educator, or another person at the expense of the home-based educator provided that:
- the home-based educator, or the other person, meets the qualifications required by the specific test;
- the home-based educator provides the registering authority evidence of the qualifications of the person administering and interpreting the test; and,
- the person administering the test provides the registering official with the results of the test and an interpretation of the results.
Year-End Rationale of Work Sample Template
Summative Record Example - Elementary Grades
Summative Record Example - High School Grades
Year-End Rationale of Work Sample Example
Upon request, conferences may be scheduled to review a portfolio of the home-based learner's work and cumulative record.
Request for Services and Supports
Northwest School Division offers access upon request to many supports to home-based learners, including:
- Curriculum guides
- Textbooks and learning resources
- Access to resource centers
- Access to elective courses in schools
- Assessment tools
- Participation in extra-curricular activities
- Driver education
- Programming allowance of $500 per students, provided Notice of Intent and Written Educational Plan are submitted no later than Sept. 30th
- Access to SaskDLC courses (up to 2 per year)-students accessing SaskDLC courses are not eligible for the allowance
School Division's Role
Northwest School Division has a responsibility to monitor the progress of all home-based learners. The official responsible for home-based education ensures home-based education programs operate in compliance with the Education Act, 1995 as well as the Home-based Education Regulations and AP 270 Home-based Education
Contact and Support
The official responsible for home-based education is available to meet with home-based educators and assist them through the process of home-based education. Please contact the Northwest School Division's Turtleford Office at (306) 845-2150 or email tf.office@nwsd.ca for any home-based education questions.