Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for Mature Students

Implementation Phases: Chart

Scenarios Summary Chart

Scenarios 1 - 16

Appendix D.1: Sample "Letter for Emplyers for Work Experience Evidence"

Appendix D.2: Sample "Letter for Volunteer Supervisor for Work Experience Evidence"

Appendix D.3: Sample "Letter of Confirmation of Receipt of Application and Documentation"

Appendix D.4: Sample "Letter: Decision Whether Or Not To Proceed With Equivalency Process"

Appendix D.5: Sample "Information Sheet for Mature Students"

Appendix D.6: Sample "Suggestions for Teachers / Counsellors and Principals on the Determination of Credits"

Appendix D.7: Sample "Template of Recording Documentation and Equivalency Determination"

Appendix D.8: Sample "Guide for Foreign-Trained Tradespeople"

Appendix D.9: Sample "Notice of Determination of Equivalent Credits"

Appendix D.10: Sample "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits" Form

GRADE 11 AND 12 EQUIVALENCY PROCESS

Orientation Phase

BOARD'S ROLE	PRINCIPAL/TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Develops Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) policies and procedures related to the challenge and equivalency processes that are consistent with provincial policy (Ontario Secondary Schools (OSS), Grades 9-12, sections 6.6 and 8.2) Implements those policies and procedures for mature students beginning on February 1, 2004 Ensures that a clear statement is published in the school course calendars and Web sites outlining when mature students may present education and training credentials and/or other appropriate documentation for a determination of equivalency for the purpose of obtaining Grade 11 and 12 credits Determines the timeframe for the completion of the equivalency process for specific Grade 11 and 12 courses	Principal: Carries out the Board's PLAR procedures for mature students and grants the credits Designs and delivers an "Orientation Session" that ensures mature students are: informed of the application process, and that they are responsible for initiating the equivalency process for the purpose of obtaining Grade 11 and 12 credits, for providing the required documentation, and for satisfying all of the requirements informed of the Diploma Requirements for Mature Students informed about the policies and procedures related to the equivalency process, including policies and procedures for recording results in the Ontario Student Record (OSR) and the Ontario Student Transcript (OST)	Sample brochure (Appendix B.1) Sample course calendar and Web site statement (Appendix B.2) Sample Fact Sheet (Appendix B.4) Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Sample "Application for Assessment for Grade 11 and 12 Credits through the Equivalency Process" (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Sample "Orientation Session Outline" (Appendix B.7) Diploma Requirements for Mature Students Under the PLAR Process (Appendix B.6)

BOARD'S ROLE	PRINCIPAL/TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Uses the forms provided under "Required Forms" in Appendix 2 to PPM 132 Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record Uses, as is, or adapts the sample form provided in Appendix 2 to PPM 132 "Application for Assessment for Grade 11 and 12 Credits through the Equivalency Process" OR Develops an application form for the equivalency process, including, at a minimum, what is on the sample form Provides necessary data for the October Board Report and for the ministry financial reporting forms regarding the number of mature students who received an equivalency assessment for up to 10 Grade 11 and 12 credits during the school year (one assessment per mature student per fiscal year only)	Teacher/Counsellor: Distributes PLAR materials to mature students Assists the principal in designing and delivering the "Orientation Session" for mature students Provides counselling/informal orientation to answer the mature student's questions and provides ongoing guidance, as required.

Application Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Determines whether the mature student was previously enrolled in the Ontario secondary school system (under Ontario Secondary Schools, Grades 9-12 (OSS), Ontario Schools: Intermediate and Senior Divisions (Grades 7-12/OACs) (OSIS), or Circular H.S.1, 1979-81) on the basis of written evidence of previous enrollment Determines appropriate staff (including subject teachers) to assist in the review of the mature student's documentation and to attend the meeting with the mature student Meets, if necessary, with the mature student, the counsellor/intake teacher, and other school staff to determine whether the mature student should begin the equivalency process Informs the mature student, in writing, of the decision whether or not to proceed with the equivalency process	On request, provides an "Application for Assessment for Grade 11 and 12 Credits through the Equivalency Process" to the mature student Provides materials that indicate the Ontario curriculum expectations for the Grade 11 and 12 courses for which the mature student wishes to be granted equivalent credits Assists the mature student, where necessary, in completing the form and gathering appropriate documentation Informs the mature student of the deadline for the return of the form, if there is one, and the person to whom the form is to be returned Discusses educational goals with the student Reviews documentation for completeness sufficient evidence presented for determining equivalent credits translated and notarized, if necessary Confirms receipt of application and initiates a meeting to determine whether the mature student should begin the equivalency process OR confirms receipt and documentation provided Meets with the mature student, the principal and other school staff to determine whether the mature student should begin the equivalency process Provides advice concerning the gathering and giving of evidence if the mature student does not have appropriate documentation owing to extraordinary circumstances	Sample "Application for Assessment for Grade 11 and 12 Credits through the Equivalency Process" (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Sample "Template for Recording Documentation and Equivalency Determinations" (Appendix D.7) Suggestions for Teachers/Counsellors and Principals on the Determination of Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent Credits (Appendix D.6) Sample "Letter for Employers for Work Experience Evidence" (Appendix D.1) Sample "Letter for Volunteer Supervisors for Work Experience Evidence" (Appendix D.2) Sample "Confirmation of Receipt of Application and Documentation " Form (Appendix D.3) Sample letter "Decision on whether or not to proceed with equivalency process" Appendix D.4)

Determination of Equivalent Credits Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Assigns subject teacher and/or other appropriate school staff to assess documentation provided by the mature student Determines whether there is a direct relationship between the documentation provided and the curriculum expectations for a specific Grade 11 or 12 course in one of the Ontario curriculum policy documents published in 2000 or later Determines whether equivalency should be granted for a specific full- or half-credit course Grants equivalent credits for specific courses only if the documentation shows evidence of learning that relates directly to the Ontario curriculum expectations for specific courses Determines whether to delay assigning Grade 11 and 12 equivalent credits until the mature student has completed some or all of the PLAR requirement for four Grade 11 and 12 courses	Reviews all documentation (formal transcripts, documentation regarding apprenticeships and documentation of learning gained from other programs, courses, or work experiences) provided by the mature student to determine if there is a direct relationship between the mature student's learning and the curriculum expectations for the specific Grade 11 or 12 course in one of the Ontario curriculum policy documents published in 2000 or later Assists the mature student if additional information is needed during the determination of equivalency process Reports the results of the determination process to the principal, including the specific courses for which the direct relationship to the Ontario curriculum expectations have been established the number and type of compulsory requirements the mature student must complete in order to obtain an OSSD, if appropriate the number of optional courses the mature student must complete in order to obtain an OSSD, if appropriate other educational options for the mature student, if appropriate Continues to assist the mature student with determining which secondary school courses to take and/or other educational options to meet his/her educational goals	Sample "Template for Recording Documentation and Equivalency Determinations" (Appendix D.7) Suggestions for Teachers/Counsellors and Principals on the Determination of Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent Credits (Appendix D.6) Sample "Letter for Employers for Work Experience Evidence" (Appendix D.1) Sample "Letter for Volunteer Supervisors for Work Experience Evidence" (Appendix D.2)

Recording Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Records equivalent credits on the Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record and files it in the mature student's OSR If required, records equivalent credits on the Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record and forwards the form to the school that maintains the mature student's OSR Upon receipt of an Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record for a mature student enrolled in the school, records equivalent credits on the Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record and files it in the mature student's OSR Ensures that the mature student is granted no more than 10 Grade 11 and 12 credits through the equivalency and challenge processes combined	Records the appropriate information for all Grade 11 and 12 equivalent credits on the mature student's OST lists the course code enters "EQV" under "percentage grade" enters the appropriate value for individual credits granted in the "Credit" column enters an "X" in the compulsory column for each compulsory credit granted Records any delayed equivalent credits on the mature student's OST when so informed by the principal	Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record (PPM 132, Appendix 2) Sample "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits" Form (Appendix D.10)

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Ensures that any Grade 11 and 12 equivalent credits, which the principal may have delayed granting until the mature student has completed some or all of the PLAR requirements for four Grade 11 and 12 courses, are granted and recorded appropriately on the Equivalency Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record and on the mature student's OST Ensures that half-credits are granted only where the documented prior learning relates directly to the curriculum expectations of specific half-credit courses

Reporting Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	GUIDANCE/TEACHER ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Informs the mature student, in writing, of all determinations and decisions made with respect to the Grade 11 and 12 equivalency process Provides necessary data for the October Board Report and for the ministry financial reporting forms regarding the number of mature students who received an equivalency assessment for up to 10 Grade 11 and 12 credits during the school year (Funding is provided for a maximum of one determination for up to 10 Grade 11 and 12 equivalent credits per mature student in any one fiscal year)	Continues to assist the mature student with determining which secondary school courses to take and/or other educational options to meet his/her educational goals Assists the principal in tracking all required data	Sample "Notice of Determination of Equivalent Credits" Form (Appendix D.9) Sample "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits" Form (Appendix D.10)