Ontario Homeschooling
Policies & Procedures
In Ontario, homeschooling is a legal and flexible option for educating children. The Ontario Education Act provides parents with the right to homeschool their children. However, it also mandates that parents take responsibility for ensuring that their children receive satisfactory instruction.
Below is an outline of some policies and procedures that parents may choose to follow so they can provide their children with a structured and recognized homeschooling experience. Here’s our EZ guide to the essentials of Ontario homeschooling policies & procedures:
Notification
In Ontario, parents should notify the school board of their intent to homeschool. Parents may submit a Letter of Intent to Homeschool to their local school board each school year. Once this letter is submitted, the school board generally assumes that the parents are taking on the responsibility for the child's education.
Assessment & Records
Homeschooling parents are responsible for assessing their child's progress. Maintaining records of the subjects covered, sample work, and assessments is recommended, though not mandatory, to show educational progress. Record-keeping can help if the child re-enters the public school system, as it provides evidence of what they have learned.
Remember, if a homeschooled child returns to a public or private school, parents may need to provide evidence of the child’s learning progress. The school may assess the child’s knowledge level to determine the appropriate grade placement.
And, for homeschooling high school students, parents should be aware of the entrance requirements for post-secondary institutions if the child plans to pursue higher education. Many institutions accept homeschool applicants but may require additional documentation, such as portfolios, standardized test scores, or alternative assessments.
Curriculum & Instruction
While Ontario doesn’t require homeschoolers to follow the Ontario curriculum, many parents use it as a guideline to ensure they cover essential subjects. It’s up to parents to develop or select curriculum resources that meet their children’s needs. Instructional plans and lesson records don’t have to be submitted to the school board but should be kept for personal tracking or in case of any inquiries.
Testing & Resources
Homeschooled students don’t need to participate in standardized testing like EQAO tests, but some parents choose to have their children take them. Homeschooled students can take the EQAO tests if registered through the local school board for testing only. Plus, homeschooling families can access some public school resources (like EQAO tests) and participate in activities if space is available, although access varies by school board.
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