Frequently Asked Questions
Who should
enroll in the Individualized Program?
Parents who are dedicated to home educating their child(ren) and are not
philosophically opposed to meeting Alberta Educations outcomes.
Parent(s) who are interested in working together with a teacher and
a curriculum consultant to create a quality, individualized program of
instruction for their child.
Who is in charge of my student's educational program?
The Student Learning Plan is designed according to the interests and Educational
needs of the student. Each SLP will be unique and will reflect the family's
preferred method of Educational. As a parent, you are in charge of
supporting your child's Educational by providing a suitable environment,
offering educational resources to support the SLP, and communicating with
your teacher in order to provide information for assessment. Our
teachers are in charge of overseeing your child's education, supporting
your child as they work towards the goals in the SLP and assessing your
child's progress. Thus, the teacher, student, and parent work together
as a team to help each student achieve his or her goals.
What is my role as a parent?
In the
individualized program your role is to collaborate with your student and
facilitator to design a unique Student Learning Plan, work with your teacher
to assist your child in accomplishing the SLP, and assist your teacher
with their assessment by submitting the student's Portfolio and conversing
online with your teacher.
What about student assessment?
Our teachers are responsible for assessing your child. In the
individualized program we ask students to submit a broad portfolio of work
three times per year. We also keep in contact with our families online once
a week. These online conversations are very important to our assessment
process and help us to learn more about your student's actual progress.
Through these conversations and the Portfolio's submitted we can track your
student's progress through the Provincial Educational Outcomes (PLO's). In
the online program your student will receive a course by course assessment
based upon the assignments and work submitted to their online teacher.
What is the teacher's role?
In the individualized program the teacher's primary role is to support
and account for the SLP. Our teachers work with each family to help
students achieve their goals as set out in the Student Learning Plan. Our
teachers provide support, advice, and encouragement as needed and work
hard to establish relationships with each family. Our
teachers oversee the assessment process and work together with the
parent to ensure the PLO's are covered. In the online courses our
teachers mark most of the academic student work, communicate regularly
with the student, offer synchronous instruction at scheduled times and
perform the student assessment.
Can I choose my own curriculum?
Yes! With our Individualized courses you design a Student Learning Plan
that will define the goals of your student and reflect your family's
Educational method. You choose the materials to support the SEP and we offer
suggestions to supplement if needed. We have a curriculum consultant who
will advise you and your teacher regarding available resources.
How much money do you provide for curriculum, lessons and other
school-related costs?
NorthStar provides it's families with a generous curriculum budget of up to
$1500.00