In N.S., home education, like private schooling, is a legal alternative to public school attendance. Parents pursue home education for a variety of reasons, most of which can be classified as a desire to provide the student with a different academic, social, or physical environment from that found in the public school. Many military families use home education because it provides continuity amidst transfers.

There seem to be a million answers to this question. Experienced home educators tend to describe home schooling as a life style choice, not just an academic choice, so most parents who are considering home education benefit from reading about the concept before making a commitment. The N.S. public libraries are a good source of home education books, Internet references, and support group information. In deciding to home school, a parent is assuming a demanding and important responsibility, but one which many parents find deeply rewarding.

There is a wide variety of choices. Again, the public library is a good starting point for critiques of various curricula. Many of the available curriculum materials can be obtained from mail-order catalogues, and a good sampling can be examined and purchased at the N.S. Home Education Association's spring resource fair. Additionally, the province of N.S. operates a correspondence program for most grade levels and subjects. For details about cost and course availability, contact the Department of Education.

There is no upper limit to what can be spent, but parents who budget carefully and make good use of library and community resources say they can spend under $100 per child per year, and even less if there are younger children who will use the same texts. The parent who wants to own a new textbook for each subject will pay more than the parent who buys a discontinued public school math text from a bargain table and gets everything else from the library.

In general, no. A parent who chooses to home school is in the same position as a parent who sends his child to a private school; he assumes full financial responsibility. However, some assistance may be available for special needs students.

The answer is determined at a local level, but there is no obligation for public schools to provide services. However, home-educated students may be allowed to enroll at a public school on a part-time basis.

Home education in N.S. is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education, through its Regional Education Officers (REOs). Once a parent has decided to home school his school-age child, he must notify the REO, who will provide further information, including a registration form and a description of the reporting procedure. A child may be started on a home education program at any time during the year and may be taught with any materials which provide an appropriate academic foundation. The parents are free to determine the hours, days, and months during which they will teach. (Also see text of Education Act). Visit the Department of Education's website for more information.

No, they require basic information a teaching parent would normally want for his own records. The registration requires basic identification information, such as student and parent names & addresses, and a description of the curriculum plans. (Parents who design their own program must provide some detail.) The follow-up report must indicate the student's progress in comparison to the planned curriculum, but the format of the report can be varied to match the individual program.

The province of N.S. recognizes that a child may be educated in public school, private school, or at home. Parents have the responsibility to decide which is best for their children. If home education is chosen, the parents have the responsibility to provide for the education of their children and the right to direct the children's education as they see fit, provided that the N.S. Essential Learning Requirements are met. Sections 128 & 129 of the Education Act describe the process the government may invoke to ensure that the Essential Learning Requirements are addressed. In past practice, any perceived problems have been resolved in an informal and cooperative manner.

When you become a member of NSHEA, you may choose to have your name added to our member contact list. You will receive a copy of this list when you join. Our newsletter also lists local support groups and activities information.

Most universities readily accept home-educated students. Harvard, M.I.T., and Dalhousie are just 3 examples of the many schools which number home-educated students among their alumni. In lieu of a standard H.S. diploma, many home-educated students submit their results from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), along with personal references and a description of the student's academic & life experiences.

Research shows that most home-educated students have no problems with social adjustment. Home-educated children tend to participate in community activities which put them in contact with people of every age and every walk of life. As a result, home-educated students tend to test well on all measures of social adjustment.