Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. Prior learning includes the knowledge and skills that students have acquired, in both formal and informal ways, outside secondary school.  Students may have their knowledge and skills evaluated against the expectations outlined in provincial curriculum policy documents in order to earn credits towards the secondary school diploma. The PLAR process involves two components: "challenge" and "equivalency".

The "challenge" process is the process whereby students' prior learning is assessed for the purpose of granting credit for a Grade 10, 11, or 12 course developed from a provincial curriculum policy document published in 1999 or later.

The "equivalency" process is the process of assessing credentials from other jurisdictions.

All credits granted through the PLAR process – that is, through either the challenge process or the equivalency process – must represent the same standards of achievement as credits granted to students who have taken the courses.

Procedure PR547 - Prior Learning Equivalent Credits outlines the process related to the granting of prior learning equivalent credits that is consistent with provincial policy.  Details about the challenge process can be found in the PLAR Policy/Program Memorandum No. 129on the Ministry of Education site.

Key dates in the 2022-2023 PLAR challenge process:

January 18, 2023 - Information session for all potential applicants, parents, and community.

STEP 1: APPLICATION PROCESS

January 18, 2023 - PLAR Challenge applications available online.

March 1, 2023 - Applications, with appropriate documentation, must be submitted by 4:00 pm to the school Guidance Office.

March 31, 2023 - Principal or school designate notifies applicants if their application was successful or unsuccessful in proceeding to step 2, the PLAR Assessment. Unsuccessful applicants may file an appeal within 5 days.

Successful applicants will move on to step 2 of the process.

April 7, 2023 - Final date for successful students to confirm, in writing, that they are committed to undertake the challenge process. 

STEP 2: ASSESSMENT PROCESS

April 10, 2023 to April 14, 2023 - PLAR Assessors contact students to schedule assessments.

April 17, 2023 to May 19, 2023  - Students complete PLAR Assessments

May 1, 2023 - Last date for students to withdraw from Challenge without a mark appearing on the transcript.

June 5, 2023 - Students to receive final mark

For more detailed information, please visit https://www.tdsb.on.ca/High-School/Guidance/PLAR