AQED’s Position on the Pilot Project and Meeting Modalities

What the DEM has confirmed to us

During our meeting on October 27, the DEM assured us that the pilot project remains entirely optional. Despite this, we were informed that some RPs had told families that participation would be mandatory, or that the usual documents (the status and mid-term report) would not really be taken into account.

We immediately followed up with the DEM. They again confirmed that the pilot project is optional and that a communication would be sent to RPs to ensure a consistent understanding of the guidelines.
The DEM also informed us that in-person monitoring meetings will now be prioritized.

We appreciate that dialogue with the DEM has resumed, but the collaboration does not always meet the needs of families. Although we are in regular contact, we still too often learn about changes at the same time you do. This limits our ability to prepare you properly and to respond quickly to your concerns.

What the Homeschooling Regulation says:

DIVISION III
LEARNING PROJECT

Article 11. The parents must prepare a written status report on the implementation of the learning project and send it to the Minister at a time between the third and fifth month after the beginning of implementation of the learning project.
(…)

Article 12. The parents and the student are to attend a monitoring meeting while the student’s learning project is being implemented. They may be accompanied by a person of their choice at the meeting.
(…)

The Minister must inform the parents in writing of the time and procedure of the meeting at least 15 days before it is to be held.

DIVISION IV
EVALUATION OF THE STUDENT’S PROGRESS

Article 16. The parents are to prepare two written reports on the student’s progress and send them to the Minister at the following times:

1°  a mid-term report at a time between the third and fifth month after the beginning of implementation of the learning project; 
(…)

These requirements remain unchanged. No regulatory amendments have been adopted.

AQED’s Position

AQED does not advise families for or against participating in the pilot project. We trust that each family is in the best position to decide what works best for them.

However, we believe this decision should be made freely and with a complete understanding of the situation—not under pressure during your meeting with the resource person. The pilot project is optional, even if your resource person suggests otherwise. The regulation has not changed, which means that by law, you are still required to provide a written mid-term report and a written status report. The DEM cannot force you to do otherwise.

It is also important to understand that by agreeing to participate in the pilot project, it may be harder to make your perspective heard if your RP’s notes—presented as a checklist—do not reflect what you expected.

If you choose not to participate in the pilot project

We suggest that you:

• Avoid commenting on your child’s progress or evaluating them during the monitoring meeting.

• Submit your documents as you normally would.

• Share examples of what you are doing at home, without demonstrating learning progression.
  

If your RP insists on an in-person meeting and you are not comfortable with it

We suggest that you:

• Clearly express that you do not agree with this new procedure and that you prefer a meeting by videoconference.

• Ask your RP to explain the reasons behind this change.

• Write to [email protected]. to share your concerns about this change.

• Choose a neutral location (e.g., a library) for the meeting. Do not let your RP insist on holding the meeting in your home if that is not what you want.

• Have someone accompany you (another parent, a friend, or an AQED volunteer).

You can try to negotiate the date or format of the meeting, but article 12 of the regulation does allow the DEM to set the meeting’s modalities.