Background:

The District provides the opportunity for students, upon request of their parents, to opt for an alternative delivery of instruction with regard to specific learning standards in the Health Education Curriculum of:

• Physical and Health Education K-7
• Physical and Health Education 8-10

The student, their parents and school staff work in partnership to ensure that the learning outcomes of the Health curriculum standards are achieved through this alternative delivery.

This administrative procedure recognizes that the BC Health Education curriculum addresses topics which may be sensitive for some students and their parents. It acknowledges the family as the primary educator in the development of children’s attitudes, standards, and values, but it still requires that all learning standards be addressed and assessed in the agreed-upon alternative manner of delivery. The school plays a developmental role and works closely with parents and students in the achievement of these learning outcomes.

Procedures:

1. Alternative delivery is a formal process whereby parents may request that their child not participate in classes where topics related to reproduction and sexuality within the curriculum standards of Physical & Health Education K-7 and Physical and Health Education 8-10 are discussed. Instead, the student will address these topics in an alternative manner such as home instruction, independent directed study or distributed learning. The time and effort required of the student through alternative delivery is to be similar to that provided through regular classroom instruction. It is important to note the significance of the term “alternative delivery” as it relates to the Alternative Delivery policy. The policy does not permit schools to omit any of the learning standards within the Physical and Health Education curriculum. Neither does it allow students to be excused from meeting any learning standards related to health. It is expected that students who arrange for alternative delivery will address the health-related learning standards and will be able to demonstrate their understanding of these learning standards.
2. In order to make an informed decision regarding the participation of their child within the Health curriculum standards of Physical & Health Education K-7 and Physical and Health Education 8-10, parents will be provided with the opportunity to preview any learning resources to be included as part of the instructional program. This is to be completed well before the intended delivery of the program in the classroom. Should parents then determine that they would prefer an alternative method of program delivery a meeting will be held with the parents, the student and the appropriate educators. The purpose of this meeting is to identify the learning standards which must be achieved, to agree upon a plan by which this will be undertaken, and to achieve consensus on the assessment criteria to be used to evaluate student progress.
3. Specific steps in this process are described as follows:

3.1 The parent formally requests alternative delivery of topics related to reproduction and sexuality as contained in the Physical and Health Education curriculum.

3.2 At a meeting, the student (when appropriate), the parents and the teacher collaboratively develop an outline of the plan to be followed.

3.3 Parents/guardians must give their consent to opt for an alternative delivery of learning outcomes as well as the method of delivery.

3.4 The school, student and parent/guardian agree to the option chosen for alternative delivery and the method of demonstration to meet the specific learning standards. The expectations of the learning standards should be similar to the ones for other students. A plan should be signed by all participants (Form 206-1).

3.5 The alternative delivery plan is communicated to the teacher with a timeline of expected completion.

3.6 Responsibility for demonstrating knowledge of these learning standards rest with the student. The regular classroom teacher will determine whether or not the learning standards have been achieved. The report card comments will indicate the part of the course which was completed outside of the classroom.

February 2023