UNLEASH

COURSE CALENDAR 2016-17
Substitutions for
Compulsory Credits
In order to ensure that all students can qualify
for the OSSD or the OSSC, principals may
substitute among the compulsory credits as
follows:
• Up to three compulsory credits may be
replaced by additional courses from the
remainder of those listed as compulsory.
• A maximum of one credit earned for a
learning strategies course may be used
through substitution to meet a compulsory
credit requirement.
• Up to three of the Grade 9, 10 and 11 English
compulsory credits may be replaced by
English as a Second Language or English
Literacy Development credits.
Parent/Guardian approval of such a substitution
shall be provided in writing. Each substitution
shall be noted on the Ontario Student Transcript.
Students who qualify under this substitute credit
arrangement are those whose educational
interests, in the opinion of their parents or
guardians, principals, and supervisory officers,
are best served by such substitution.
Ontario Equivalency Credit
If a student enters The Tech Academy from
another program or out of province, the student’s
school records will be reviewed. This will be done
through the PLAR process whereby the Grade
9/10 credits will be aligned as closely as possible
with the Ontario curriculum to determine what
assessments, if any, need to be completed.
Prior Learning Assessment
and Recognition (PLAR) –
Mature Students
The Tech Academy also provides PLAR support
for mature students wishing to pursue their high
school diplomas. A mature student is a minimum
of 18 years old and has been out of school for at
least one year.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
(PLAR) is the formal evaluation and creditgranting
process whereby students may obtain
credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes
the knowledge and skills that students have
acquired, in both formal and informal ways,
outside secondary school. Students may have
their knowledge and skills evaluated against
the expectations outlined in the provinces
curriculum policy documents in order to earn
credits towards the secondary school diploma.
The PLAR process for mature students involves
two components “equivalency” and “challenge”.
Requirements concerning the application of
these procedures differ from those of the regular
day school students because of the broader life
experiences of mature students.
The PLAR process includes:
a) Grade 9 and 10 equivalency process
b) Grade 11 and 12 equivalency process
c) Grade 11 and 12 challenge process
The “equivalency” process for mature students
involves (1) individual assessment for the
purpose of granting grade 9 or 10 credits, and/
or (2) assessment of credentials and other
appropriate documentation from jurisdictions
within and outside Ontario for the purpose of
granting credit for a grade 11 or 12 course
developed from an Ontario curriculum policy
document published in 2000 or later.
The “challenge” process for mature students is
the process whereby students prior learning is
assessed for the purpose of granting credit for a
grade 11 or 12 course developed from an Ontario
policy document published in 2000 or later.
19