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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