Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a formal evaluation and accreditation grant process completed by a guidance counsellor. Mature students may obtain credits for prior learning for the knowledge and skills that adults have acquired, in both formal and informal ways outside secondary school. The PLAR process for mature students involves three procedures:
- "Individual assessment/equivalency" (Gr. 9/10)
- "Equivalency" (Gr. 11/12)
- "Challenge" (Gr. 11/12)
There is no charge for mature students to participate in the PLAR process.
A mature student is:
- At least 18 years of age either on/before December 31 of the school year
- Is enrolled in a secondary school credit program for the purpose of obtaining an OSSD
- Has been out of school for a period of at least one year before returning as an adult
Grade 9 and 10 Individual Assessment/Equivalency Process
An individual mature student assessment/equivalency process for the purpose of granting up to 16 Grade 9 and 10 credits through:
- Transcripts, or
- Completion of individual assessments, or
- Both
Students without appropriate transcripts for all or part of the first two years of secondary school will be required to make a guidance appointment.
Successful completion of the individual assessment process will result in up to four credits in each of the four subject areas. These Grade 9 and 10 credits will meet the diploma requirements that would usually be met through successful completion of the Grade 9 and 10 programs. If the student earns fewer than four credits in each subject area, the process for how new students can obtain the remaining credits will be considered.
Grade 11 and 12 Equivalency Process
The process for obtaining credits involves a guidance evaluation of a mature student's education and/or training credentials and/or other appropriate documentation of learning gained from other programs, courses, or work experiences.
Applicants who wish to participate in the Grade 11 and 12 PLAR equivalency process must:
- Be enrolled in a secondary school course
- Carefully review the curriculum expectations or each course in which they wish to be granted credits
- Complete the PLAR process with their guidance instructor
- Present credentials/documents that show evidence of learning that relates directly to the Ontario curriculum expectations for specific courses
Grade 11 and 12 Challenge Process
The challenge process is an assessment process. Unlike the Grade 11 and 12 equivalency process, a student who successfully challenges a credit receives an actual percentage grade recorded on the transcript.
Mature students may challenge for credit for up to ten Grade 11 and 12 courses. However, they may obtain no more than ten Grade 11 and 12 credits through the challenge and equivalency processes combined.
There is no maximum on the number of credits that may be obtained in any one discipline. Mature students may challenge a course for credit if they can provide reasonable evidence to the principal that they are likely to be successful in the challenge process.
Applicants who wish to participate in the Grade 11 and 12 challenge process must:
- Meet with guidance instructor
- Be enrolled in a secondary school course
- Carefully review the curriculum expectations for each subject which they want to challenge