Page 71 - Ontario Schools: Kindergarten to Grade 12

PPM No. 129 outlines in detail the PLAR policy and requirements that apply to regular day school students.10
PPM No. 129, “Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): Implementation in Ontario Secondary Schools” (July 6, 2001) www.edu.gov.on.ca/extra/eng/ppm/129.html
7.2.5.2 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for Mature Students11
Because of the broader life experience of mature students, the requirements concerning the application of PLAR procedures are different for them than for regular day school students. Principals will determine the number of credits, including compulsory credits, that a mature student needs in order to meet the credit requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). At the discretion of the principal, up to 16 Grade 9 and 10 equivalency credits may be granted to a mature student following an individual assessment.
Mature students may earn 10 of the 14 remaining Grade 11 and 12 credits needed to meet diploma requirements in three ways: (1) they may demonstrate achieve- ment of the required secondary school curriculum expectations and receive credit through the challenge process; (2) they may present education and/or training credentials for assessment through the equivalency process; or (3) they may
take the course. It should be noted that Levels 2 and 3 in classical languages are equivalent to Grades 11 and 12, respectively; that Levels 3 and 4 in international languages are equivalent to Grades 11 and 12, respectively; and that Levels 4 and 5 in Native languages are equivalent to Grades 11 and 12, respectively.
Mature students must earn a minimum of 4 Grade 11 and 12 credits by taking the course at a secondary school (or through any of the options outlined in section 10). Mature students who have previously accumulated 26 or more credits towards the diploma must successfully complete the required number of courses to bring their total number of credits up to 30 before they will be eligible to receive the OSSD.
Mature students working towards the OSSD under OS/OSS must also satisfy the diploma requirements with regard to the provincial secondary school literacy requirement. Principals will determine the number of hours of community involvement activities that a mature student will have to complete.
10. A regular day school student is a student, other than a mature student, who is enrolled in a regular day school program. A student enrolled only in continuing education and/or correspondence courses is not considered a regular day school student.
11. See footnote 7 for a definition of mature student.
Part two: Secondary Schools 69