Online Learning Graduation Requirement

The Ministry of Education has introduced an additional Graduation requirement for all students, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-21 school year.  This requires students to earn two online learning credits to graduate from secondary school with an OSSD. 

This graduation requirement is intended to support students in developing familiarity and comfort with learning and working in a fully online environment, as well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable skills that they will need for success after secondary school, including in post-secondary education and the workplace.

Students in publically-funded schools complete their online coursework with the support of a certified Ontario educator with whom they communicate, and who provides instruction, ongoing feedback, assessment, evaluation and reporting as needed, including implementing any accommodations and/or modifications identified in the student’s Individual Education Plan.

Selection of courses should consider future pathways, the ability and interests of the student to learn in a fully online environment and any potential supports that may be needed. Meeting the online learning graduation requirement should not pose a barrier to graduation for students. As with all learning, students taking online courses will have access to the support they need through their school, (e.g., guidance, nutrition programs, extra-curricular activities and services for English-language learners). If the student has an Individual Education Plan, the plan will be shared, when appropriate, with an educator instructing an online course delivered by another publically-funded school board, with the necessary consent.

Definition of “Online Learning” for this Graduation Requirement

In order for a course to count towards one of the two credits for the Online Learning Graduation Requirement, they must:

• Be earned through courses that rely primarily on communication between students and educators through the internet or another digital platform.

• Not generally require students to be physically present with one another or with their educator in the school.

Opting Out of the Online Learning Graduation Requirement

Parents/guardians may choose to opt their children out of the mandatory online learning credits required for graduation. Parents/guardians and students should be aware that opting out of this requirement does not mean that students cannot access online learning in order to take courses of interest or that are required for their preferred pathway or post-secondary destination. It only means that the two online learning courses are not a requirement for graduation; however, 30 credits taken in class will still be required for graduation.

To opt out, a parent/guardian must submit an opt-out form to the school. Students 18 years of age or older, or students who are 16 or 17 years of age and have withdrawn from parental control, can also opt out of the graduation requirement by submitting an opt-out form to the school. Opt-out forms are available at each secondary school by talking to your Guidance Counsellor.