Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for Mature Students

Implementation Phases: Chart

AMU3M (Music) Sample Assessment Guide

BTA3O (Information Technology Applications in Business) Sample Assessment Guide

ENG3E (English) Sample Assessment Guide

ENG3U (English) Sample Assessment Guide

HPC3O (Parenting) Sample Assessment Guide

LKDCU (Level 3 Cantonese) Sample Assessment Guide

MCF3M (Functions) Sample Assessment Guide

SCH3U (Chemistry) Sample Assessment Guide

AMU4M (Music) Sample Assessment Guide

EBT4O (English - Communication in the World of Business and Technology) Sample Assessment Guide

HHG4M (Issues in Human Growth and Development) Sample Assessment Guide

ICE4M (Computer Engineering) Sample Assessment Guide

ICS4M (Computer and Information Science) Sample Assessment Guide

LKDDU (Leve 4 Cantonese) Sample Assessment Guide

MCT4C (Mathematics for College Technology) Sample Assessment Guide

SBI4U (Biology) Sample Assessment Guide

Appendix E.1: Suggestions for Evaluating Evidence for Approval to Enter Into the Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Assessment Process

Appendix E.2: Sample "Letter of Confirmation of Receipt of Application and Evidence"

Appendix E.3: Sample "Letter of Approval for Challenge for Credit"

Appendix E.4: Sample "Letter of Denial of Request to Challenge for Credit"

Appendix E.5: Notes for Teachers Developing Grade 11 and Grade 12 Challenge Assessment

Appendix E.6: Sample "Information Sheet for Mature Students"

Appendix E.7: Sample "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits" Form

GRADE 11 AND 12 CHALLENGE 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, Grades 9-12 (OSS), 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 on Web sites outlining when mature students may challenge for credit for Grade 11 and 12 courses and what opportunities for challenge are available at schools under the jurisdiction of the board (see OSS, section 5.3.1) Determines the timeframe for the completion of the challenge processes for specific Grade 11 and 12 credit 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 challenge process for the purpose of obtaining Grade 11 and 12 credits; providing the required documentation; and satisfying all of the requirements informed of the Diploma Requirements for Mature Students informed about the policies and procedures related to the challenge process for mature students, including policies and procedures for recording results in the Ontario Student Record (OSR) and the Ontario Student Transcript (OST)	Sample "Orientation Session Outline" (Appendix B.7) Sample "Application to Challenge for Credit for a Course" (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Sample "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record (Appendix 2 PPM 132)

BOARD'S ROLE	PRINCIPAL/TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Uses the forms provided under "Required Forms" in Appendix 2 to PPM 132 Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record Uses, as is, or adapts the sample forms provided in Appendix 2 to PPM 132 Sample "Application to Challenge for Credit for a Course" Sample "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" OR Develops forms for the purposes served by these two forms, including, as a minimum, what is on the samples Provides necessary data for the October Board Report and for the ministry financial reporting forms regarding the number of challenges for credit for Grade 11 and 12 courses (up to 10 full-credit courses per student, or the equivalent in half-credit courses), whether successfully or unsuccessfully completed	Teacher/Counsellor: Distributes PLAR materials to mature students Assists the principal in designing and delivering the "Orientation Session" for mature students Provides counselling and informal orientation to answer the mature student's questions, and provides ongoing guidance, as required	Sample Brochure (Appendix B.1) Sample Course Calendar and Web Site Statement (Appendix B.2) Sample Fact Sheet (Appendix B.5) Diploma Requirements for Mature Students Under the PLAR Process (Appendix B.6)

Application Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Ensures that every prospective applicant is provided with an application form, as well as materials that indicate what is expected in the Grade 11 and 12 courses for which the mature student wishes to challenge for credit Evaluates each application in consultation with the mature student and appropriate school staff (i.e., subject teachers) to determine whether reasonable evidence for success exists and whether the challenge should occur (refer to Suggestions for Evaluating Evidence ...) Determines whether the mature student should challenge for credit for a specific full- or half-credit course When a mature student applies to challenge for credit for a course that is not offered in the school, makes arrangements with another school in the board for the mature student to challenge for credit there	Provides the mature student with an "Application to Challenge for Credit for a Course" and informs the mature student that he/she must complete one application and submit evidence for each challenge requested Assists the mature student, where necessary, in completing the application and, specifically, advises the mature student, especially if/she does not have appropriate documentation of prior learning owing to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., mature students who are refugees), on the gathering and giving of evidence Informs the mature student of the deadline for the return of the application and to whom the application must be returned Receives the application from the mature student and reviews it for completion If the application is not complete, informs the mature student of the outstanding requirements	Sample "Application To Challenge for Credit for a Course" (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Suggestions for Evaluating Evidence for Approval to Enter Into the Grade 11 or 12 Challenge Assessment Process (Appendix E.1) Sample "Letter of Confirmation of Receipt of Application and Evidence (Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Assessment)" (Appendix E.2) Sample "Letter of Approval for Challenge for Credit" (Appendix E. 3) Sample "Letter of Denial of Request to Challenge for Credit" (Appendix E.4)

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
When a mature student has challenged for credit for a course and has been unsuccessful, permits the mature student to challenge for that specific course a second time if there has been a reasonable interval of time the mature student can provide reasonable evidence that he or she is likely to be successful after having benefited from additional study and experience during the interval Informs the mature student, in writing, of all determinations and decisions related to this process Completes either the "Letter of Approval for Challenge for Credit" or the "Letter of Denial of Request to Challenge for Credit" Informs the mature student of his or her right to ask the appropriate supervisory officer to review the matter where he or she disagrees with the decision of the principal	Confirms receipt of the application and evidence (if provided), in writing, and files the "Letter of Confirmation of Receipt of Application and Evidence (Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Assessment)" in the mature student's OSR Alerts the principal to potential challenges for credit for courses not offered in the school Assists the principal in evaluating the applications to determine whether reasonable evidence exists and whether the challenge should occur

Assessment Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Ensures that only teachers certified by the Ontario College of Teachers conduct the PLAR challenge process (except for principals of private schools, who may choose to comply or not) Involves teaching staff in decisions related to the logistics of the administration of the Grade 11 and 12 challenge assessments Assigns teaching staff to develop formal tests and other assessment strategies¹ Assigns teaching staff to conduct the testing (i.e., the use of formal tests and of other appropriate assessment strategies) Assigns teaching staff to provide information to mature students about the administration of the Grade 11 and 12 challenge assessments² Assigns teaching staff to provide mature students with the results of each challenge assessment activity Ensures that mature students are aware of their right to challenge for credit for the same course a second time after a reasonable interval, if they are not successful on the first attempt	Subject Teacher: Develops challenge assessment(s)¹(Use of the Sample Challenge Assessment Guides for 16 Grade 11 and 12 courses provided in the training binder will ensure compliance with provincial PLAR policy, and provincial curriculum and assessment policy.) Assists principal in making decisions related to the logistics of administration of the Grade 11 and 12 challenge assessments Provides information on the nature and logistics of the challenge assessments to the mature student whose application to challenge for credit for a course has been approved² Administers the challenge assessments to an individual mature student or groups of mature students Marks each challenge assessment activity and enters the results on the "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course"³ (This form may be used, as is or adapted, or another form, which includes at a minimum what is on the sample form, may be developed.)	¹Notes for Teachers Developing Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Assessments (Appendix E.5) ²Overall Expectations and Assessment Focus Chart from the relevant Sample Challenge Assessment Guide, or from challenge assessments developed by the school/board, should be provided along with the Sample "Information Sheet for Mature Students (Preparing for Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Assessments)" (Appendix E.6) (Part E of this binder contains 16 Grade 11 and 12 Sample Challenge Assessment Guides) ³Sample "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" (Appendix 2 PPM 132)

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Files the "Record of Assessment for Challenge for Credit for a Course" in the mature student's OSR³ Stores marked challenge assessment materials	Informs the mature student of the results of each challenge assessment activity Once all challenge assessment activities are completed, calculates a final percentage grade, based on 70% formal tests and 30% other assessments and enters on the "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course"³ Forwards the "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" to the principal Forwards the marked challenge assessment materials to the principal for storage

Recording Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Records the credits a mature student enrolled in your school has earned through the challenge process, as well as failures and withdrawals, on the Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record and files it in the mature student's OSR Updates the Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record as necessary Records the credits (as well as failures and withdrawals) for a mature student enrolled in another school, but who earned a challenge credit (or failed or withdrew) in your school on the Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record and forwards the form to the principal of the school in which the mature student is enrolled Upon receipt of a Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record for a mature student enrolled in your school who has earned a challenge credit (or failed or withdrawn) in another school, records the pertinent information on the Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record and files it in the mature student's OSR	Enters the mature student's passing and failing percentage grades on the OST (No notation will be entered on the OST if the mature student withdraws from the challenge process. This information is, however, recorded on the Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Tracking Records, both Interim and Cumulative) Records each challenge credit earned on the Sample Form: "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits"	Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Cumulative Tracking Record (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Challenge Process for Grade 11 and 12 Credits: Interim Tracking Record (Appendix 2 PPM 132) Sample Form: "Tracking Grade 11 and 12 Equivalent and Challenge Credits" (Appendix E.7)

Reporting Phase

PRINCIPAL'S ROLE	TEACHER/COUNSELLOR ROLE	SUPPORT MATERIALS
Informs the mature student of the final percentage grade on the challenge assessment has the mature student sign the "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" provides a copy to the mature student files the Record in the mature student's OSR	Principals may choose to assign some of the duties outlined in column 1 to counselling/teaching staff Note: It is, however, the Principal's responsibility to ensure full compliance with the requirements of PPM 132	Sample "Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course" (Appendix 2 PPM 132)