PLAR FAQs:
What is PLAR for Mature Students?
PLAR stands for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition. It is the process by which you can obtain credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma for education, training and/or life and work experience that you have acquired OUTSIDE of the Ontario secondary school system.
How do I complete the PLAR Process @ BALC?
At BALC we offer students the opportunity to take a course (GLN) once they have completed ENG2D and are about to enter ENG3C/3U or higher. Prior to beginning ENG3C/3U PLAR is not an option.
Within the GLN course students complete booklets to earn their History & Geography credits and create a package that includes: resume, cover letter, autobiography and supporting documentation (which could include transcripts, letters of employment, reference letters and more) Students will be given details when completing the process.
Who is a Mature Student?
A Mature Student is a student who:
is at least 18 years old on or before December 31 of the school year;
is enrolled in a secondary school credit program for the purpose of obtaining an OSSD
How many credits can I obtain through PLAR?
up to a maximum of 16 grade 9/10 equivalent credits, and
up to a maximum of 10 grade 11/12 credits through the equivalency process.
How are credits granted through PLAR?
Your previous life, education, training, work experience, and volunteer experience will be compared to Ontario curriculum expectations of related courses for equivalency purposes, based on the information you submit in your application.
Grade 9 and 10 Geography and History credits may be granted through completing the booklets assigned in the GLN (PLAR) course OR through completing courses in Canadian Geography and Canadian History.
Where do I get information on curriculum expectations?
Curriculum expectations are available at www.edu.gov.on.ca and www.curriculum.org.
Is there a fee?
No, there is no fee to process PLAR packages.
How can I earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)?
You must have a minimum of 30 credits including 18 compulsory credits.
You must earn a minimum of 4 credits at the grade 11/12 level after returning to school as a mature student.
You must successfully complete all compulsory course requirements as determined by your equivalency evaluation. One of these must be Grade 12 English.
You must successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O1). This may be one of your 4 credits at the grade 11/12 level.