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Review Committee

AHEA Review Committee

As part of a regular review, the AHEA board has formed a Review Committee to gather information and input from AHEA members on the “nature of AHEA” – AHEA’s values, philosophy, objects, bylaws, articles, and major policy documents – in order to confirm or change the direction the organization should take in the future and bring forward at the next AGM any necessary or proposed changes.

This committee will include long-time AHEA members Don Reid, Tom Lipp and Ray Strom so that AHEA’s history can be considered as part of the committee’s body of information. Input should be submitted in writing by AHEA members directly to the Review Committee.

The committee:

  • will include at least three but no more than five members,
  • will not include current board members nor any person employed by a school board or authority or in a position of authority with the same, and
  • will gather information for a period of approximately six months from the 2017 AGM.

Recommendations by the committee will be presented to the board by no later than November 1st 2017 so that committee recommendations in Notices of Motion can be published in order to give public written notice to current members of any changes being proposed at the April 2018 AGM.

Please email your input toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Christmas Greetings from AHEA - 2017

As home educators look forward to Christmas and beyond to a new year, some of the challenges we have experienced in 2016 encourage us to lean even more on Christ Jesus, the reason for our hope.

When reflecting on the past year, there have been events that have caused fear and hardship.

AHEA continues to work to stem the tide of such recent events.

Yet, while we focus on these concerns, it is good to remember the divine at this time when Christians the world over celebrate the birth of the Saviour.

As we consider that God came to earth as an infant, we should contemplate what is truly important in our lives: our own infants, our children of all ages, our families, our faith.

As we think of how the holy infant grew to become a man who would die on a cross, parents today realize that we are not raising children so much as raising the adults they will become.

We chose home education because we wanted to give our children the best and the fullest education: the finest academics, crucial life skills, a strong foundation in good character and faith, and a strong family.

Regardless of what the new year brings, home educators will continue to provide that to their children.

At the same time, we should remember not to hold home educating closer than God.

What we hope for from God is much smaller than what He has planned to give us. We ask for grains of sand, and He desires to bless with beaches.

Over the holidays, please send good tidings to our elected officials: MLAs, the Education Minister, the Premier.

Christmas cards of goodwill, prayers, and seasonal messages of love, hope, peace and joy are encouraged.

Those messages of peace and joy also go out to all of you from all of the volunteers of the Alberta Home Education Association: have a happy and holy Christmas.

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Alberta Education Funding Directive

 

On May 29, 2016, the Deputy Minister of Education announced that effective August 31, 2016, the only funding that will be made available to parents for school completed at home will be under the Home Education Regulation.
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Alberta Education Funding Directive


On May 29, 2016, the Deputy Minister of Education announced that effective August 31, 2016, the only funding that will be made available to parents for school completed at home will be under the Home Education Regulation. This is not a result of any legislative change, but is a reflection of the legal situation which has always existed in Alberta.

Alberta Education has indicated that it will take school authorities time to determine new policies and procedures. If you have been teaching your children at home in a totally or partially school directed program, the policy around reimbursing parents for resources may be changing. Parents making plans for the 2016/17 school year should be aware of changes and possible implications.

The Home Education Regulation is the only legislative provision in Alberta which allows for the reimbursement of selected educational resources, and for the parent to complete the program development, implementation and evaluation of their child's progress. Should parents wish for these provisions, they must notify of their intent to home educate under this regulation using the following notification form:

Home Registration Form DOC Download

The announcement states:
 
"Monitoring by Education staff has revealed that some school authorities operating online or regular programs are reimbursing parents approximately $1,500. I would like to remind schools and school authorities that the Education Grants Regulation clearly states that the education grant must be used only for the purpose for which it was intended. The practice of reimbursing parents for student participation in online or regular programs directs funding away from instructional support for student learning. Under the Education Grants Regulation, grant funding may be recovered if it is not used for its intended purpose.

If your school or school authority has policies and/or practices in place that reimburse parents for student participation in online or regular learning, please revise these policies and/or end these practices effective August 31, 2016.

The only provision that currently permits school authorities to pay families directly is with regard to home education. As per the Home Education Regulation, an associate school authority must offer parents of a home education student not less than 50 per cent of the home education grant for the purchase of instructional materials. The home education grant provided to authorities is $1,670.81, meaning the reimbursement offered should not be less than $835. Parents must provide the associate school authority with receipts to show how this funding was spent, as the purpose of this reimbursement is to defray costs associated with the programs of study, instructional materials or other resources related to the home education program."


For information on school authorities who have historically offered home education under the Home Education Regulation, please see:

Home School Boards

For clarifying information  on educating your child at home, please see:

What does it mean to Home School / Home Educate?

 


Education Act Update:

On June 3, 2016, Education Minister Eggen announced that 'further discussion and collaboration is needed on specific policy shifts that would take effect should the Education Act be proclaimed.  As such, the School Act will remain in effect for the 2016/2017 school year."

This means that the Home Education Regulation 145/2006  will remain in effect as is for the 2016/17 school year, while Minister Eggen engages in further discussion around the Education Act and its associated regulations.  The exact format for this engagement will be provided by Minister Eggen at a later date. 
 
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Rally to Defend Parental Authority

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Rally to Defend Parental Authority
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Rally to Defend Parental Authority


There are peaceful rallies being held this Saturday, May 14, at 2:00 p.m., at both the Edmonton Legislature and Calgary McDougall Centre. These rallies have been organized by Parents for Choice in Education (PCE)  to uphold parental authority that is being denied through the introduction of  Bill 10. It is our chance to have a collective voice and stand with fellow parents to protect our children and those for generations to come.

Invite a friend and we will see you there! 

For further information: www.parentchoice.ca 
There is also a petition that can be signed.

Alberta Legislature Building - 107 Street and 97 Avenue, Edmonton, AB
Maps and information regarding the Alberta Legislature can be found at: www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor/index.html

McDougall Centre - 4 Ave and 6 St SW Downtown Calgary. - 2 blocks north of the C-Train.

They are expecting a crowd so you may want to come early. You may also want to give some thought as to where to park or take the train/bus.
 
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2016 Convention Success

April 17 2016

To all Alberta home educators:

Thank you for coming to our 2016 Convention!

What a full weekend of talks, workshops, chocolate-for-moms evening, breakfast-for-dads morning, children's convention, youth activities, and lots of shopping!

We had one of our busiest conventions EVER - over 1900 attendees!

That's an increase of over 450 from last year.

Thank you for being there!

Thank you also for your suggestions on the end-of-convention surveys.

As always, we use those surveys to choose future speakers and to make improvements every year.

This year, we got almost 300 surveys back and 98.2% of you were either 'Completely Satisfied' or 'Mostly Satisfied'.

Over 98'% satisfaction rating!

Wow!

Thank you!

And a huge hug-and-pat-on-the-back to our whole convention team.

Blessings on us all as we prepare for 2017.

From the board of the Alberta Home Education Association

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