All students entering high school must successfully complete the provincial secondary school literacy test or completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) in order to earn a secondary school diploma. The test is usually written in grade 10. The test will be based on the Ontario curriculum expectations for language and communication – particularly reading and writing – up to and including Grade 9. Students who write the test but do not succeed may re-take the test and complete it successfully in order to qualify for a secondary school diploma. There is no limit to the number of times the OSSLT may be retaken.

The majority of students will fulfill the literacy requirement through successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Eligible students may fulfil the literacy requirement through successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC). The preferred standard method for assessing the literacy skills of students in Ontario is still the OSSLT. Success in the Literacy Course is comparable to the same level of achievement that is demonstrated on the OSSLT. When a student has achieved either the OSSLT or the Literacy Course, the transcript will indicate that the student has passed the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Graduation Requirement.

Under certain circumstances, a graduating student may be eligible to fulfil the Literacy Requirement through the Adjudication Process approved by the Ministry of Education. Details of this process are available through contacting the Principal.

Identified Students

ACCOMMODATIONS
Students who are receiving special education programs and services and who have an Individual Education Plan may receive the accommodations that are set out in the student’s IEP.

DEFERRALS
Literacy test deferrals may include students who have been identified as exceptional and students registered in English as a second language/English literacy development courses. The principal determines if a deferral should be granted and the time period for the deferral.

EXEMPTIONS
A student whose IEP indicates that he/she is not working towards the attainment of a secondary school diploma may, with parental consent and approval of the principal, be exempted from participating in the literacy test.

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC)   OLC 30/40

This course is designed to help you acquire and demonstrate the cross- curricular literacy skills that are evaluated by the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). If you complete the course successfully you have met the provincial literacy requirement for graduation. You will read a variety of informational, narrative, and graphic texts and will produce a variety of forms of writing, including summaries, information paragraphs, opinion pieces, and news reports. You will also maintain and manage a portfolio containing a record of your reading experiences and samples of your writing.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course supports the diploma requirements by:
  • Satisfying the literacy requirement for graduation and serving as a compulsory grade 11 or 12 English credit
  • or Serving as a Group 1 credit
  • or Serving as an optional credit
ELIGIBILITY TO ENROL IN  OSSLC
Students who have been unsuccessful at least once and have had two opportunities to write the OSSLT are eligible. Students who have passed the Literacy Test may take the OSSLC at the Principal’s discretion.

For a description of the course and course outline please visit the OLC 3O1 / OLC 4O1 course page.