Online Learning Graduation Requirement

The Ontario Ministry of Education introduced an online learning graduation requirement for students receiving an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Students receiving an OSSD must:

• Complete two online credits of the total 30 credits required for their OSSD

Online Courses and Credits

How are online courses delivered?

• Online courses or credits are delivered using the internet

• They do not require students to be physically present in a school with the exception of a final exam or summative evalutation

• Students may attend a school for access to:

  • Internet connectivity

  • Learning devices

  • School-based supports

How can I tell what online courses are available?

• Schools will communicate the online courses that are available

• This may take place through the course calendar and course selection process

How To Opt-Out

Parents or caregivers of students can choose to opt-out of the online learning graduation requirement.

School-Day Form

• Complete the WRDSB Online Graduation Requirement Opt-Out Form using your School-Day account

  • It can found under “Forms” on the left hand side after you log in to School-Day

PDF Form

• Complete the WRDSB Online Graduation Requirement Opt-Out Form

• Submit the completed form to your child’s school main office

Community Service Hours

Every student must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities as one of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). 

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) 

• Requirement: All students who started grade 9 in the 2000-2001 school year or later must pass the OSSLT to get a secondary school diploma. The test is usually taken in grade 10 and covers reading and writing expectations up to grade 9.

• Purpose: The OSSLT assesses if students meet the literacy requirement for graduation. It identifies both students who meet the standards and those who need further study.

• Retakes: Students who do not pass can retake the test as many times as needed.

• Accommodations: Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) will receive the accommodations specified in their IEP.

• Deferrals: Students who may benefit from a deferral include those with exceptional needs or those in ESL/ELD programs. The principal decides on deferrals and their duration.

• Exemptions: Students not working towards a diploma and with parental consent, plus principal approval, may be exempt from the test.

• Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC): This course is for students who have failed the OSSLT at least once. It provides intensive support to improve literacy skills and offers an alternative way to meet literacy requirements. In some cases, students may enroll in the OSSLC before their first OSSLT attempt if deemed beneficial by the principal.

WRDSB 34 CREDIT THRESHOLD
The 34 credit cap was announced by the Ministry in 2012 and is scheduled for implementation commencing September 1, 2013. The cap is more accurately termed a 34 credit threshold because it places a limitation on funding and not on participation by students in courses.

Understanding the 34 Credit Threshold:

All successfully completed credits which can be counted toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma will count toward the 34 credit threshold. These credits include:

• All successfully completed courses at day school, night school, summer school and international language school.

• All successfully completed retake credits (for upgrading marks, etc.). Retaking a passed course for upgrading purposes will result in an additional credit towards the 34 credit threshold.

• Credits earned outside school (ex. Royal Conservatory of Music, etc.).

Specific Exemptions:

The Ministry has identified the following exemptions from the 34 credit threshold:

• Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs);

• Students who are enrolled in their first four consecutive years of secondary school and have earned more than 34 credits. If these students return for subsequent years, funding for any additional credits would be at the continuing education rate;

• Reach-ahead credits do not indicate the beginning of a secondary school (i.e., the number of years would not start until the student is enrolled in grade 9).

• Credit courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD);

Students Approaching or Exceeding the 34 Credit Threshold (4th or 5th Year Students):

The school must determine a student’s number of earned eligible threshold credits prior to the start of each academic year (non-semester schools) or semester. In general, a student planning on returning to high school for a 5th year should only plan on returning for one semester and should not exceed the 34 credit cap.

If the student’s number of earned eligible threshold credits at the end of the school year/semester:

• meets or exceeds 34, the student will be directed to a continuing education program.

• is 32 to 33, the student may enroll in 2 or fewer* credits in the next semester

• is 30 to 31, the student may enroll in 4 or fewer* credits in the next semester