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News Item

Changes to OSSD Graduation Requirements

March 28, 2022
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​Dear Families of current grade 8 and grade 9 ALCDSB students,

We are writing to inform you about the recently released Policy and Program Memorandum 167 which details the implementation of an online learning graduation requirement for Ontario schools and the associated opt-out process.

The Ministry of Education has mandated that, beginning with the cohort of students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year (current grade 10s), all students must earn a minimum of two eLearning credits as part of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma unless they have opted out or been exempted in accordance with the processes described in the memorandum (link).

Of note, up to one secondary school credit completed by Grade 9 students in the 2020-21 school year during the province-wide school closures (from April 2021 to June 2021) may be counted towards the graduation requirement.

​Online learning courses or online learning credits, also known as “e-learning" courses or credits, are Grades 9 to 12 credit courses that are delivered entirely using the internet and do not require students to be physically present with one another or with their educator in the school, except where they may be needed for: 

  • examinations and other final evaluations
  • access to internet connectivity, learning devices, or other school-based supports (for example, academic, guidance, special education, mental health and well-being supports, or ELL supports).

     
    In online learning courses at ALCDSB, coursework is teacher-led. The content is offered through a secure learning management system, allowing students and educators to communicate and share learning and coursework online. In ALCDSB schools, students complete their online coursework with the support of a certified Ontario educator who provides instruction, ongoing feedback, assessment, evaluation, and reporting including implementing any accommodations and/or modifications identified in the student's Individual Education Plan.

     
    For students that choose to complete the Online Graduation Requirement, the following plan will apply at ALCDSB:
     

    All secondary students will be guided to complete the Grade 10 Career Studies (GLC20)/Civics and Citizenship (CHV20) course online through the ALCDSB summer learning program. Students can complete this as a reach-ahead opportunity in the summer before they attend grade 9 and/or in the summer before grade 10 or grade 11. In addition, schools will work individually with families to support students that are unable to complete this course through the summer learning program.

     
    Students will be guided to complete the second required online credit during their grade 11 or 12 school year through the ALCDSB e-learning consortium.
     

    Families may choose to opt-out of the online graduation requirement. All ALCDSB families whose students would like to opt-out of the requirement to complete 2 e-learning (online) courses in secondary school (grades 9-12) must complete the Microsoft form (below) as a first step. Your child's school will follow up with next steps to complete the opt-out process. When the process is complete, the graduation requirement will not apply to the student.

     
    We ask that you please complete this form by Friday April 1st, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

     
    Click here to access opt-out form.
     
     
    If you require further information about the online graduation requirement, please contact your student's school.

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