Resource GuideOnline Learning, Alternative Learning and Homeschool
AutismBC
For Caregivers
School Options in BC
Public School
In person (IP) schools, often referred to as “brick & mortar”, public schools are your local school(s) open to all students. Offering K-12 education some school districts also offer Strong Start programs for children under age 5.
Public schools offer in person classes, online learning and blended models between the two. Typically, if you live in an area with a neighbourhood school, that is called your ‘catchment’ school. If you desire your child to attend a school outside of your catchment area, you need to apply for cross boundary registration and that enrollment in the school depends on the availability of designated spaces for your child’s grade.
Application for cross boundary is typically on a year-to-year basis and no guarantee of acceptance even if your child or a sibling attended the school in the previous year(s). Some schools operate under a lottery system rather than a first-come, first-serve waitlist. Cross boundary will consider how many designated spots are in your child’s grade and if there is space for any additional designations, priorities are always for in-catchment registrations.
In BC, the Ministry of Education uses an Inclusive Education approach. You can read more about your child’s rights to inclusive education here in the 6th edition of the InclusionBC Parent Handbook: Parent Handbook on Inclusive Education – Advocacy Resources, Inclusive Education – Inclusion BC
Independent schools are regulated by the Independent School Act overseen by the Ministry of Education. Independent schools offer Distributed Learning (now called Online Learning), and some have brick and mortar locations as well.
Private schools also fall under the Independent School Act and can be operating as secular and non-secular. Acceptance into private schools with a designation is dependent on the school’s ability to support your child’s needs. If you are exploring private education, our best advice would be to connect with other families in the area who have an autistic child who attends the school and what their experiences have been. Private schools do have the right to deny your child acceptance into their program if they feel they cannot support your child adequately.
Find out more about private school options and costs:
Private Schools – Autism Funding in BC (asdfunding.com)
Education Options in BC
“Homeschooling is typically led by a home educator (a parent or guardian) who delivers an educational program to a child at home. Homeschoolers are not eligible to receive a B.C. Certificate of Graduation.
Homeschooling programs are not:
- Supervised by a B.C.-certified teacher
- Required to meet provincial standards
- Inspected by the Ministry of Education”
Government of BC 2021
Sometimes referenced as unschooling, homeschooling students are not registered with government accredited schools. Their educational programs are not regulated by the Ministry of Education and students are not eligible for funding.
Online Learning (formally Distributed Learning) is offered by both public and independent schools.
Distributed Learning (now Online Learning) schools are BC Ministry of Education or government funded schools that offer choice in how the BC curriculum is delivered to students who choose to learn outside of a regular “brick and mortar” school.
Distributed Learning programs are:
- Supervised by a B.C.-certified teacher
- Required to meet provincial standards
- Inspected by the Ministry of Education
Distributed Learning (DL) is now called Online Learning (OL).
“Both public and independent online learning schools offer online classes. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 7 must take a full course load at one school, while students in Grades 8 to 12 may learn from home entirely or learn at school and take some courses online.” Government of BC 2021
To review the full online learning interim policy for students with special needs: Online Learning Policy – Students with Special Needs (Interim) – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
When to Enroll?
If you are starting your school journey and entering Kindergarten, enrollment usually begins January or February for the school year beginning September of that year. You can help this transition go smoothly by:
- Before the first day, try to visit the school and tour your child’s new classroom.
- Meet with school staff and share your child’s strengths, needs, interests and difficulties.
- Ask about necessary support and materials your child needs
- Involve your current support team in this transition
- Contact the District Inclusive Education staff member for your area. District staff typically work through the summers or return a couple weeks ahead of the start of the school year.
- Check out our Back to School Planning Blog for more tips.
If you are enrolling in your local public school….
If you are starting a new school or changing schools mid-year enroll as soon as possible. Even while not taking full enrollment information most schools will have a waitlist for students, often accepted on a first come, first serve basis as spots become available. You can be on several waitlists.
If you live within a school’s catchment area, they are obligated to enroll your student.
If you live outside a school’s catchment area enrollment will be subject to space and available resources.
Funding
If you have a student with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis the Ministry of Children & Families gives the Ministry of Education access to additional funding. While these supplemental funds are not targeted for individual students, they are intended to support inclusion. This funding is defined as Special Needs Level 2, Autism Spectrum Disorder, category G.
How do schools use the funding they receive from the Ministry of Education?
Public School Districts:
Public school districts us what is described as a pooled funding method. All funding goes into a general pool for all schools and each district will ask for the resources and support they need for their schools and students. Communication with your school team, participation in the IEP process and support with advocating are important to ensuring your child’s needs are being heard and addressed.
Independent Schools:
Although some Independent schools may use a pooled funding method similar to the public system, most often a portion of the funds received for a student are assigned as a budget to assist in providing supports and resources necessary to reach goals outlined in a student’s IEP. The budget amount will vary depending on the school, expense decisions are made as a team and must directly relate to IEP goals.
Have you heard about the changes in the 2022/23 school year? There are currently few public details available, but all current policies can be found here: Public School Policies
There are also many ways to join in the conversation and advocate!
Immediate Attention & Action Needed Regarding Education Changes in BC
Protect BC IDL and DL Schools – Facebook Group
Independent Schools in BC:
Alderwood Family Development Centre
Christian Homelearners eStreams
Heritage Christian Online School (HCOS)
Island Discover Learning Community
Regent Christian Online Academy (RCOA)
Traditional Learning Acadamy (TLA)
Wescoast Adventist School (WCAS)
Learning Centres:
Lower Mainland:
Fawkes Academy – Imagine, Believe, Achieve.
Vancouver Island:
Nanaimo Unique Kids Organization- NUKO Learning Center
Let Me Be Me Learning Foundation (letmebemelf.ca)
Blackbird Special Education Nanaimo (blackbirdnanaimo.com)
Pivot Point Community Classrooms
Home Learning Forest School – Oak and Orca
Navigate Programs | Blended Learning | Online Learning in BC (navigatenides.com)
(NIDES does not have designation funding privileges, but is a blended learning program. NUKO access NIDES for their learning centre)
Therapeutic Education – Footholds Therapy Centre
Interior:
Penticton Excel – Centre for Exceptional Learning
Cranbrook – Pivot Point Learning Centres
Northern BC:
PG – Gateway Behaviour Services – Learning Centre
Smithers – Edge Learning Centre | Facebook
What About Graduation?
There is so much to consider when looking at what graduation for your child may look like. This will be an evolving journey and decisions should be made with your child involved as much as possible. Learning about the different types of graduation certificates and programs and how they may affect post-secondary options will help you feel prepared to make these choices as they arise.
“The B.C. Certificate of Graduation or “Dogwood Diploma” is awarded to students who successfully complete the provincial graduation requirements.” Government of BC 2021
“The School Completion (“Evergreen”) Certificate is intended to celebrate success in learning that is not recognized in a Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). The Evergreen Certificate is not a graduation credential; students who receive an Evergreen have not graduated. It is important that students and their parents clearly understand that the Evergreen represents the completion of personal learning goals but does not represent graduation.” Government of BC 2021
Adult Dogwood (Adult Graduation Diploma Program)
Adapted and Modified Programs: What is the Difference?
Adapted: Any changes or supports needed to help a student meet Prescribed Learning Outcomes (PLO) and obtain a Dogwood diploma. All accommodations should be noted in a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
“Teaching and assessment strategies made to accommodate a student’s special needs, and may include alternate formats (e.g., Braille, books-on-tape), instructional strategies (e.g., use of interpreters, visual cues and aids) and assessment procedures (e.g., oral exams, additional time, assistive technologies). Adaptations enable achievement toward the learning outcomes of the provincially prescribed curriculum.” Government of BC 2021
Modified: Changes to a student’s learning plan that work towards personal goals and don’t require meeting Prescribed Learning Outcomes (PLO). Students on modified programs work towards an Evergreen Certificate.
“Modifications are a form of accommodation which establish learning outcomes specifically designed to meet a students’ special needs. Modified learning outcomes are substantially different from those within provincially prescribed curriculum.” Government of BC 2021
Acronyms
DL Distributed Learning (Now Online Learning)
OL Online Learning (Formally Distributed Learning)
IDL Independent Distributed Learning
IOL Independent Online Learning
OSP Online Service Provider
IOSP Independent Online Service Provider
IDL Independent Directed Studies
IEP Individualized Education Plan
HL Home Learner
PLO Prescribed Learning Outcomes
BCAGD Adult Graduation Diploma Program
Peer Support
SN Home Learning Families in BC
Resources
BC Government Online Learning – This is the best place to find out directly what is happening to online learning this year, what to expect next year, and how to sign up for online learning. (BC Gov 2022).
General
Guide to Individual Education Plan
Autism Q&A Helpful and Unhelpful School Experiences
Autism Q&A : A Guide to IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) in BC
Staff Sharing: Education Accessibility & Advocacy
Theme Resource: Distributed Learning, Online Learning and Homeschool
AutismBC Connects: Facing Ableism in the School System
Do you have something to contribute? See something that needs updating? Contact us.
Resources
3:30 / 27:50 • Continuous Enrollment AutismBC Talks with Kleos - Provincial Online Learning School - Independent (POLS-I)
Further Reading
Facing Ableism in the School System
Facing Ableism in the School System My name is Cole Lawrence and I prefer identity-first language like autistic person. I was diagnosed with autism at […]
A Guide to Individual Education Plans (IEPs) in BC
I remember the start of the school year after our son’s autism diagnosis being full of questions. It was difficult to know what information I needed […]
Back to School Planning
After much effort, you’ve finally settled your child into a summer routine, and now you have to start transitioning them back to school!