Useful Terminology
General Terms
Bricks and Mortar School (B&M): A term used to describe traditional schools with physical buildings where students attend classes in person.
Home Learning: An umbrella term that encompasses various forms of education where students learn primarily at home. This can include homeschooling, online learning, and other flexible educational arrangements.
Homeschooling: A parent-directed form of home learning where parents take full responsibility for their child’s education outside of the BC education system.
Online Learning (OL): A funded classroom alternative which uses a method of instruction that relies primarily on communication between students, parents, and teachers by means of the internet. It may also include other types of instruction at a distance from the learner, such as correspondence or teleconferencing, as well as in-person activities. Online Learning students are home learners whose education is facilitated by their caregiver and supervised by a BC certified teacher. It is not virtual learning or remote classrooms.
Cross-Enrolment: The process by which a student enrolls in courses at multiple schools, allowing them to take advantage of different programs and resources. Students in grades 8-12 can use this to combine in-person and online learning opportunities. It can also refer to homeschoolers enrolling in individual grade 10-12 online learning courses for credit
Educational Programme: an organised set of learning activities that is designed to enable learners to become literate, to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy, democratic and pluralistic society and a prosperous and sustainable economy. What those learning activities are and whether they meet the definition is up to the responsible authority. In the case of an Online Learning student, the school board and in the case of a homeschooler, the parent/guardian.
BC Curriculum (PLO): The standardized framework of learning objectives and skills prescribed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care outlining what students are expected to know and achieve at each grade level. The BC curriculum establishes learning standards for students enrolled in schools across British Columbia. aka: Prescribed Learning Outcomes
‘Home schooling’ Curriculum: Educational materials, including textbooks, workbooks, and online courses, developed and marketed by commercial entities specifically for home learning families.
Learning Material: The tools and resources used by students to support learning.
Ordinary Resident: A term used in BC education to describe a student who lives in the province on a regular basis, which can affect their eligibility for enrollment in public schools and online learning programs.
Homeschooling specific
Homeschooling: A parent-directed form of home learning where parents take full responsibility for their child’s education outside of the BC education system.
Home Education: Another term for homeschooling.
Home Educator: A parent or guardian who takes on the full responsibility for teaching and overseeing the education of their child at home.
Register: In the context of homeschooling, registration refers to notifying a public or willing independent school that a child will be educated at home, outside of the BC education system, as permitted by law.
Online Learning specific
Online Learning (OL): A funded classroom alternative which uses a method of instruction that relies primarily on communication between students, parents, and teachers by means of the internet. It may also include other types of instruction at a distance from the learner, such as correspondence or teleconferencing, as well as in-person activities. Online Learning students are home learners whose education is facilitated by their caregiver and supervised by a BC certified teacher. It is not virtual learning or remote classrooms.
Provincial Online Learning School (POLS): A public or independent Online Learning School, with an Online Learning Agreement with the Minister, and administrated by a Board of Education or Independent School Authority, that can enrol students from anywhere in the Province.
District Online Learning School (DOLS): A public Online Learning School operated by a Board of Education that does not have an Online Learning Agreement with the Minister and can only enrol students who reside in its district.
Student: A learner enrolled in an educational program, whether it be a traditional school or an Online Learning School.
Enrol: The process by which a student officially signs up with a school, including an Online Learning School, enabling them to participate in coursework and activities.
BC Certified Teacher: A teacher who has met the qualifications and licensing requirements set by the BC Ministry of Education and are therefore certified to teach in BC schools.
Student Learning Plan (SLP): An educational plan developed for a student, outlining their learning objectives, strategies, and academic goals aligned with the BC Curriculum. In Online Learning it is created in partnership with the teacher and guardian to tailor the educational experience to the student’s needs and aspirations.
Individual Education Plan (IEP): A customized educational plan developed for students with special needs. It outlines specific learning goals, accommodations, and supports required for the student’s success.
Active Participation: The engagement of a student in the learning process.To receive funding for students enrolled in programs and courses provided by Online Learning Schools, boards and authorities must ensure evidence is present to demonstrate a student’s active participation.
Assessment: The process of evaluating a student’s performance and understanding through various methods, including tests, quizzes, projects, and/or observations. Assessments can be formative (ongoing) or summative (end-of-term or -year evaluations).
Foundations Skills Assessment (FSA): Standardized tests administered to students in grades 4 and 7 in BC public schools. The FSA measures basic skills in reading, writing, and numeracy.
Graduation Assessments: Three provincial assessments written between grades 10 and 12 which focus on the demonstration and application of numeracy and literacy. These are required for graduation.
Blended Learning: Some Online Learning schools offer an educational approach that combines online learning with in-person classroom opportunities.
Dual Enrollment: The enrollment of a student in educational programs offered by a single Board of Education or Independent School Authority across multiple schools simultaneously.
Third Party Services: External resources or services that support a student’s education contracted outside of the regular school system. Some Online Learning schools will allow for third party services and resources to be obtained with school funding.