As we move to the end of the school year, many parents like to add an external year-end exam or test in order to provide them with an objective, outside evaluation. Here are three options available to your family for year-end review.
NOTE: results of these examinations are for your own information as your child's teacher, and are not kept in your official student file unless you request that they be added.
Please let us know if you have questions!
Classic Learning Test
The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a post-secondary entrance exam, created as an alternative to the SAT and recognized at many post-secondary institutions across the United States, and a growing number in Canada.
In addition to the college entrance exam, the folks at CLT have created the CLT3-8 exams for students in grades 3-8, and the CLT10 for students in grades 9-10. These tests focus on numeracy and literacy, and can be a useful evaluation tool, and one that can be conveniently accessed from home. Please click here for more information on the CLT. WISDOM covers the testing cost for our students, charging only a $10 processing fee.
Solaro
SOLARO is an online learning and assessment resource that uses Alberta Programs of Study outcomes for lessons, activities, exercises, and quizzes with detailed solutions for grades 3-12. (SOLARO holds 10 times the content of the comparable Key books.)
Each student license grants access to as many as 10 subjects at a time, spanning any grades. This allows for review where needed or the option to advance as quickly as suits the student.
Parents using the teacher license can create lessons, quizzes and more for their students in the form of text and multimedia assignments.
Learn more and sign up here.
Canadian Tests of Basic Skills
The Canadian Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) offers a national standing for your child based on language and math, allowing parents to understand the individual strengths of a child and offering insight into areas for growth or challenge. CTBS is completed at home, under parent supervision, and then materials are returned to WISDOM to send on to Nelson for scoring.
WISDOM charges a $20 damage deposit for test materials, per student - this fee is returned when the booklets are received back in the office, damage free. From September through February of each school year, families may use funding for the damage deposit. After March 1, a credit card number is held for the deposit.
Request CTBS by emailing peter@wisdomhomeschooling.com. Tests are sent to you by mail, and you then have 6 weeks to complete and return the booklets to WISDOM. Once scored, WISDOM emails you the results.
Canadian Test Centre
CTC/Canadian Test Centre offers home educators an opportunity to assess their students with the nationally recognized Canadian Achievement Tests (CAT) and the Canadian Test of Cognitive Skills (CTCS). These tests provide home educators with information that will assist them in teaching and guiding their students.
For more information, visit their website.
We are here to support your family's unique needs, offering encouragement, extra services and supports, and expert advice as you need it.
Steps:
- Submit your Application via our parent portal (we will ensure all the information is correct and create your enrollment).
- You will need to upload an image of your child’s Canadian Birth Certificate or other proof of Canadian Citizenship (a cell phone picture is fine). You will not be able to continue the application until a copy of your child’s identification is uploaded.
- If you encounter any difficulty, you may use the 'Chat with an agent' button in the bottom right of the portal. We are there to assist you during business hours, and will reply the following business day if your message is sent after hours.
- A member of the team will send you a welcome email and will phone you to go over things.
- Create a home education program plan (EPP) draft. We can help you finalize it if needed(Please note, the deadline for us to transmit finalized student data to AB Education is September 29, so complete all elements of notification, including an Education Program Plan or draft, before that date).
- We will match you with a facilitator, who will make contact and assist you in your planning and implementation. (They can help you set a vision for your home school, as well as help you tailor a unique program that fits your students' individual learning needs.)
- In high school, we'll discuss the education choices you might consider (see High School for more).
- Once your EPP is finalized and approved, you will receive an acceptance letter. Enrollment is complete.
If you encounter any difficulty, you may use the 'Chat with an agent' button in the bottom right of the portal. We are there to assist you during business hours, and will reply the following business day if your message is sent after hours.
WISDOM does our best to meet you at your needs. Some families prefer more interaction with our office staff, PAC, and facilitator, while others feel confident in their path and prefer more independence. Please do let us know what you prefer. Remember to keep the lines of communication open to help us to serve you best.
WISDOM exists solely to serve home schooling. Join us!
If you prefer to submit notification via email or mail, you may find that information here.
Are you returning to WISDOM for September of the next school year? Click here.
Do you want to join WISDOM for the remainder of the current school year? Click here.
- You may use a WISDOM purchase order number for WISDOM events if you have funding available, and if you register before any refund has been processed for May. POs may only be used up to May 30th, so please keep that in mind! Many of our families wait to send in receipts until they have booked any camps and workshops, so that their funding is used first for the registration.
- You may not use a Purchase Order to pay for the parent portion of particular events.
- WISDOM accepts Visa and Master Card. You can pay over the phone, and we will issue a receipt which you could later use to claim funding for applicable events.
- WISDOM accepts cheques.
Remember, an event can't run without sufficient numbers to offset costs. Because we don't charge much more than absolutely necessary just to cover costs, we have to have a minimum number of participants registered.
Cancellation: If we have to cancel an event due to low registration, we will refund your money. However, if you cancel within two weeks of a scheduled camp or event, your money can not be refunded. Your last-minute cancellation may otherwise close down an entire event, if the funds are no longer there for us to run it.
QUESTIONS? Please contact the WISDOM office. We look forward to helping you. 780-741-2113 or email events@wisdomhomeschooling.com
We are happy to provide links to additional resources that come from sources outside of WISDOM. If you have a resource to share with us, please let us know.
For more, please click on the links below, or on the menu at the right.
- Extras Available for WISDOM Families
- WISDOM Family Facebook Group
- Speech Language Pathology in Bonnyville or Online
- Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Psychology Through AISCA
- Alberta Home School Support Groups
- Home School Curriculum Suppliers
- Useful Sites and Educational Links
- Tutors For Hire Around Alberta
- Alberta Education Information and Resources
- Athletes In Action Summer Camps
- Mental Health Resources
- AHS Pediatric Rehabilitation Services
- Music and Art Classes in Central Alberta
The links on this page are presented as a resource for visitors to WISDOM's website. WISDOM takes no responsibility for the content of these sites and the presence of a link here does not imply any endorsement of a site, the services offered, or the information that site may contain.
Alberta Education Resources:
Your Education Program Plan (EPP) is your most important document. It defines your home education program, assures your authority, and prevents imposition of provincial testing. Your plan is flexible, and you may change it at any time in the year. Your current (or revised) plan must be approved by your facilitator and kept on file in the WISDOM office.
In order to give your facilitator time to review your plan, suggest additions, and approve your plan, please provide it to them no later than the end of August.* If you need assistance to meet the Aug 31st deadline, please let us know. A suitable Education Program Plan (EPP) can be discussed and developed with your facilitator. *NOTE: This deadline is for returning WISDOM families only. Brand new families have some grace time to work on a plan draft and go over it with a facilitator.
Please follow the Checklist to be sure that your plan meets the requirements of Alberta Education. Click here for a visual guide. (Refer to the Notification Form, Part D.)
Your plan should be based on Alberta Education's Schedule of Learning Outcomes. These outcomes are to be achieved by the end of grade 12. Remember S.A.M. when you plan: Keep your plan Simple, Achievable, and Measurable.
Program Plan Template:
You may customize the following template Word document to suit your child. If you prefer, you may create a plan of your own design, or one you've found elsewhere online, ensuring that you include all elements from the checklist.
Education Program Plan Template
Download as:
Microsoft Word | Apple Pages | Google Docs
Suggestions of ways to state various Instructional Methods, click here.
Sample Education Program Plans:
Plan Approval and Revision:
Note: if you don’t have anything to add or delete in your child’s EPP, these instructions will not apply to you! However, it is normal for families to change their plan throughout the year as new opportunities and/or curriculum ideas come up.
- A facilitator needs to review and approve your plan before your enrolment will be complete. Our team prefers that plans are submitted no later than May 31, prior to the new year commencing. The facilitator confirms that your plan meets the requirements set forth in the Home Education Regulation. After your plan is accepted, applicable funding will be available (when the new school year begins). Without an approved plan, enrollment is not complete.
- Your plan is a living document, and may be modified at any time. Throughout the year, we need your current plan in order to support any reimbursement or purchase order, particularly in cases where you may with to claim resources other than books and curriculum. Please submit any updates before submitting an expense claim. Update your plan and send it to your facilitator when there is an addition or deletion of a subject or the addition of a non-book resource within an existing subject, up until May 31.
- Examples: update if you went on a field trip not listed in your existing plan and want to submit receipts for the student admission.
- Update if your child starts learning French using Rosetta Stone, which you just purchased and wish to claim for reimbursement.
- However, you don't need to update if you're replacing one resource with another of the same kind. There's no need to update if you simply change from Saxon math to Math U See, for example – it’s all math.
Your plan gives you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to meet your child's educational needs in real time. We're here to help you craft an excellent plan - don't hesitate to reach out!