UCP AGM In Review

As always, AHEA encourages its members to be politically active and advocate for the rights of parents and home educating in Alberta. May 4-6, the United Conservative Party had its Founding AGM and voted on many new policies. Many policies were submitted by AHEA members and AHEA Board Members. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this way!

Because of your efforts, parental rights in education were solidified as a policy for the UCP!

The exact wording of the passed policy is as following:

"The United Conservative Party is committed to affirming the right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children."

This is a very significant stance for the UCP party to take and one that is of great value to home educators.

Another policy which passed is very important for home educators R106) "The UCP party is committed to parental choice in education, in both form and content." The 'form and content' component is very significant in AHEA's advocacy work with the UCP party!!

 There were additional policies affirming parental rights and good for home education that passed as well:

(R104) The United Conservative Party is committed to maintaining Alberta's legacy of school choice by upholding the established right of parents to choose the education setting best suited for their children including: public, separate, charter, independent, alternative and home education programs.

(R105) The UCP is committed to protecting authentic school choice by respecting the freedom of association in independent schools and alternative programs by allowing them to determine their own policies and practices based on each school's unique character, values and beliefs.

"Affirm the family as the building block of society and the means by which citizens pass on their values and beliefs and ensure that families are protected from intrusion by government."

(R079)- "The UCP is committed to affirming that the family is the basic unit of society, and is entitled to protection by society and the State to ensure that parents have the right and responsibility to oversee the healthcare and education of their own children, including but not limited to the cultural, linguistic, religious, spiritual and moral upbringing and heritage of their children.

"The UCP believes that the Government of Alberta should ensure equitable per-student funding in accordance with school choice – public, separate, charter, home, or private.

The UCP believes that the Government of Alberta should provide additional per-student funding to schools for students with special needs, students in remote areas, or with other disadvantages, to ensure equitable access for all students.

Many other significant education, health, justice, community, visionary, etc. policies were accepted. At this time, there is much for us to rejoice about, but AHEA also encourages everyone to continue being politically active protecting parental rights and the rights of Home Educators in Alberta.

Patty Marler

Past President

Alberta Home Education Association (AHEA)