Reference Framework for Planning Learning and Evaluation Activities

The Ministère regularly issues a statement of students’ evaluation results and, at the end of their
studies, students receive a statement listing all the competencies they have acquired.
When a student passes a retake of an examination for certification purposes, the pass mark becomes
the official result and “fail” no longer appears on the report. Support for learning for the certification of
studies and the number of retakes permitted are determined by the educational institution on the basis
of its evaluation standards and methods.
Although the statement is an official document governed by the Basic Vocational Training Regulation, 39
it is not the only way in which results are communicated to the students. The official information can be
effectively supplemented in the educational institutions by teacher-student meetings designed to
promote the sharing of relevant observations, information and data.
With a view to the ongoing development of the competency in the educational institution as well as in
the job market, the communication of results is a key moment between teacher and student. Together,
they analyze the student’s progress, his or her achievements and what he or she needs to work on in
order to continue developing at the personal and vocational levels. The teacher’s involvement in the
student’s progress can help confirm the student’s career choice and enrich the teacher’s comments
regarding attitudes to be improved, strengths to be developed and so on. This type of contribution
could also encourage a student to choose another field of study which itself would be an educational
success rather than a failure. As much as possible, students should adopt an attitude of lifelong
learning.
Certification of studies
The decision to recognize a competency comes down to a pass/fail decision on the certification
examination. In this way, the Minister can certify the students’ learning.
Evaluation for certification purposes must uphold the value that society accords to official certification
documents. 40 At the end of a program, if all of the competencies have been acquired, the Minister
certifies that the student has completed his or her vocational training. The Diploma of Vocational
Studies (DVS) and the Attestation of Vocational Specialization (AVS) qualify students to enter the job
market. 41
39. According to the Basic Vocational Training Regulation, “persons enrolled in vocational training shall receive a statement of
learning at least twice a year.” R.S.Q., c., I-13.3, s. 448, r. 4.2, s. 18.
40. Policy on the Evaluation of Learning, p. 21.
41. Under the education reform in secondary schools, a Skills Training Certificate can be awarded in general education. It is
therefore still accessible, but is no longer the responsibility of vocational training services.
70 Planning Activities to Help Students Acquire Competencies