OSCA -2001 1 PLAR P rior L earning A ssessment and R ecognition
Jan 18, 2016
OSCA -2001 1
PLAR
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
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PLAR Orientation Session
Expectations: Students and Parents will develop an
understanding of …..
provincial policy on the PLAR Challenge Process the application process the Challenge Assessment activities student responsibilities in the PLAR Challenge
Assessments
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PLAR Orientation SessionAgenda
1. Prior Learning Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR) - What is it?
2. Application to PLAR - What courses can a student challenge? - What is required to challenge a
course? - What are the timelines?
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PLAR Orientation SessionAgenda
3. PLAR Challenge Assessments - What will the assessments look like?
4. Student Responsibilities - What do students have to do?
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What is PLAR?
…the formal evaluation and credit-granting
process whereby students may obtain credits
for prior learning.
Prior Learning Assessment
and Recognition (PLAR)
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Background to PLAR in Ontario Secondary Schools
Decision to implement PLAR was influenced by:
• Royal Commission on Learning (1994)
• Work of other provinces
• Implementation in Colleges
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PLAR Policy
Two Components to PLAR Process
• Challenge process
• Equivalency process
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Equivalency Process . . .
Assessment of credentials from other jurisdictions
Credits granted for placement
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Challenge Process . . . Prior learning assessed for purpose
of granting credit
Implementation Timelines Grade 10 courses 2002-03 Grade 11 courses 2003-04 Grade 12 courses 2004-05 Mature students starting 2004-05
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Challenge Process . . .
In challenging a course for credit……
The student is saying that he / she already has the knowledge and skills and can demonstrate the expectations of the course at the time of the challenge.
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Challenge for Credit Maximum of four credits
Two in one subject area
Grade 10, 11, 12 courses
Entire courses from provincial curriculum document
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Student Eligibility
What courses can be challenged?
Students may not challenge courses….. they have previously completed
if there is a significant overlap of expectations with a course for which credit has already been granted.
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Student Eligibility Students may not challenge courses…..
in a subject where credit has already been granted in a later grade.
ESL/ELD if previously completed English course.
FSL if previously completed course in Français.
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Courses Not to be challenged
Transfer courses
Co-op courses
Locally developed courses
Courses not taught within board.
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Student Eligibility If a student is not successful in
challenging a course, the student may challenge the credit a second time…….
after a reasonable interval (minimum of one semester - WCDSB policy)
if evidence supports likelihood of success.
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PLAR Policy Responsibilities for PLAR process shared by:
Boards
School Principals
Students
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STUDENTS
Students are responsible to……. Initiate the PLAR process
Obtain parental approval
Provide reasonable evidence of success as part of the application process
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STUDENTS
Complete all challenge activities
Include intent to challenge course(s) for credit as part of the student’s Annual Education Plan
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PLAR Benefits to Students
gain recognition for prior learning in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school
receive credit for what they already know
and can do
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PLAR Benefits to Students
gain flexibility in their secondary school
program options
examine their Annual Education Plans
critically in terms of their past and current
experiences
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Orientation to PLAR School Course Calendar System Orientation Session
Monday, September 13, 2004 – St. Mary’s H.S. (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
Monday, February 7, 2005 – St. Mary’s H.S. (7:00 – 8:30 pm)
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Application 2004-2005 Timelines:
(Challenge of Grade 10-11-12 Courses)
Student: Completes Application Form
(WCDSB web site/orientation session) Compiles “Reasonable Evidence” of
success. Submits to school principal by
September 28, 2004 or February 28, September 28, 2004 or February 28, 20052005
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PLAR Challenge Form
Student Information Course to be challenged Listing of evidence to be submitted - “Reasonable
Evidence” of success Declaration of understanding of Challenge
process Student / parent signatures
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Reasonable Evidence Submission
Letter(s) of Reference (Appendix B)
Student Letter of Explanation Supporting the Request for a PLAR Challenge (Appendix D)
Letter(s) of Recommendation from Community members (optional)
Portfolio of relevant work samples
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Reasonable Evidence Submission
Proof of relevant experience in supervised setting (Appendix C)
Proof of independent learning (Appendix C)
Proof of learning from another educational jurisdiction (if applicable)
Copy of Ontario Student Transcript or student Report Card
Listing of other successfully completed PLAR Challenges
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Application
Principal: Assigns subject teachers to PLAR
Reviews Application submissions with teachers assigned to evaluation of PLAR Challenge Assessment
by October 5, 2004 or March 7, 2005
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Challenge AssessmentWhat are the PLAR Challenge
Assessment timelines?
Fall 2004 Application submitted to school principal - September 28, 2004
Approval of Applications - October 5, 2004
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Challenge Assessment
PLAR Challenge Assessment Consultations (teacher & student) – October 12-16, 2004
PLAR Challenge Assessment Submissions -
January 24-28, 2005
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Reporting
Achievement reported on Provincial Report Card as part of Semester end reporting cycle (January/February 2005).
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Spring 2005 Timelines(Challenge of Grade 10, 11 or 12
courses)
February 7, 2005 St. Mary’s H.S. 7:00-8:30 pm
February 28, 2005 – Submission of Application and Reasonable Evidence
March 7, 2005 – Assignment of PLAR teachers
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Spring 2005 Timelines March 21 – March 24 – PLAR
Challenge Consultations
June 20 - 24 – Submission of PLAR challenge Assessments
End of Semester 2 – Reporting of PLAR Challenge Achievement
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Challenge Assessments
What will the assessments look like?
70% Formal Evaluation Activity (paper & pencil test / performance task)
30% Other strategies (variety of strategies appropriate to subject discipline)
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PLAR ResponsibilitiesWCDSB
Students: initiate process; access Application form
and Course Expectations attend System Orientation session obtain parental approval submit Application and Reasonable
Evidence of success by due date
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PLAR ResponsibilitiesWCDSB
Students:Upon approval of PLAR Challenge
Application…..
meet with assigned PLAR Challenge teacher
complete all Challenge Assessments within designated timelines
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Questions and Answers