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CREATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS
5.2
Such ministry-approved programs include dual credit, Ontario Youth Apprentice- ship (OYAP), Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM), and school-work transition programs:
1. Dual credit programs allow students who are still in secondary school to take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, degree, or apprenticeship certification. More information on dual credit programs is available at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/dualCredit.html.
2. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a specialized program that enables students who are 16 years of age or older to meet diploma requirements while participating in a cooperative education program in
an apprenticeship occupation. More information on OYAP programs is available at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/document/curricul/secondary/ coop/cooped.pdf and http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/eopg/programs/oyap.html.
3. The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a specialized program that allows students to acquire technical knowledge and skills related to a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. More information is available at http://www.edu. gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/SHSMBinder.pdf.
4. School-work transition programs give students the opportunity to complete secondary school diploma or certificate requirements; develop Essential Skills and work habits (as described in the Ontario Skills Passport), as well as industry-specific skills; and obtain experience in the workplace (see OS, section 9.1).
Education and Career/Life Planning through School-wide Activities
A comprehensive education and career/life planning program should provide a variety of school-wide opportunities for students to explore related topics outside formal classroom instruction. School-wide activities can help broaden students’ awareness of opportunities for ongoing learning, involvement in the community, and future work. Such activities can include workshops, seminars, presentations, and field trips. In secondary schools, the activities described in sections 5.1.3 (Education and Career/Life Exploration Activities) and 5.1.4 (Experiential Learning) are often coordinated on a school-wide basis by guidance staff as part of the guidance and career education program.
Many students share common interests, concerns, and questions and benefit from the peer interaction that small group settings provide. Small group support can enhance student learning and connect students to others with similar needs and goals, and is an effective use of staff resources. In some cases, however, the nature of a student’s needs makes focused individual counselling and support more appropriate.