Board Policy #354.0 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students

 

1. Policy Statement

The York Region District School Board believes in life-long learning; learning that can and does occur beyond the regular school day. Recognizing that adult students have acquired skills and knowledge through formal and informal experiences outside of the Ontario school system structure, the Board offers the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students (MPLAR) process to recognize this learning.

 

2. Application

The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students policy applies to mature students aged 18 or older who have acquired fewer than 26 credits and are working towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. It recognizes formal and informal learning that can be counted towards  secondary school credits thereby providing students with an enhanced pathway to high school graduation leading to post-secondary education, including apprenticeship training and employment.

There is recognition of Canadian Post-Secondary credentials and the Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship. Students who have completed a postsecondary diploma and/or degree from an accredited Canadian postsecondary institution, including an Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship and/or Qualification, may obtain fourteen Grade 11 and 12 credits through the challenge and equivalency process combined.

 

3. Responsibilities

 

3.1 The Board of Trustees is responsible for:

1. reviewing the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students policy in accordance with the priorities in the Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan and the approved review cycle; and

2. understanding and communicating with members of the community about the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students policy, as required.

 

3.2 The Director of Education is responsible for:

1. implementing the MPLAR policy as per the requirements of Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12, Policy and Program Requirements, 2016 and Policy/Program Memorandum 132; and

2. developing and implementing policies and procedures related to the equivalency and challenge processes and ensuring that a clear statement is published in school programs and course calendars.

 

3.3 The Superintendents are responsible for:

1. ensuring that MPLAR equivalency and challenge opportunities are available to all eligible students; and

2. supporting the application of the MPLAR policy at each school. 

 

3.4 Secondary School and Continuing Education Services Principals are responsible for:

1. ensuring that students who are 18 years of age on or after January 1 of the current school year and eligible early school leavers are aware of the MPLAR opportunities; 

2. facilitating the application of the MPLAR policy;

3. ensuring that students who engage in the MPLAR challenge process meet the eligibility requirements; and

4. ensuring that teachers are hired to support the MPLAR assessment, equivalency, and challenge processes.

 

3.5 Students are responsible for:

1. complying with the MPLAR program expectations. 

 

4. Definitions

 

4.1 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for mature students is the formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby mature 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 the current provincial curriculum to earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

 

4.2 Mature Student

A mature student is a student 18 years old or older on January 1 of the current school year, enrolled in a program to obtain an OSSD and has fewer than 26 credits.

 

4.3 Early Leavers

School Leavers are students in grades 9-12+ who have left school but have not completed their OSSD.

 

5. Contact

Curriculum and Instructional Services

Continuing Education Services

 

6. History

Working Document: November 2022

Revised: October 2023

 

Board Procedure #354.1 Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students

 

1. Procedure Statement

This procedure outlines the process for implementing the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students (MPLAR) program in secondary school and Continuing Education programs. 

 

2. Responsibilities

 

2.1 The Director of Education shall:

1. allocate staff and resources to support the MPLAR procedure.

 

2.2 Coordinating Superintendent of Education, Curriculum and Instructional Services and Continuing Education shall:

1. ensure that Continuing Education Services implements the MPLAR procedure.

 

2.3 Superintendents of Education shall:

1. ensure all schools meet the MPLAR procedure for their current students and eligible early leavers.

 

2.4 Continuing Education Services shall:

1. work in partnership with Curriculum and Instructional Services to ensure MPLAR awareness and the development of equivalency and challenge materials;

2. ensure teacher staffing support is available to prepare students for the assessment, equivalency, and challenge processes;

3. provide professional development support for teachers conducting MPLAR assessments, equivalencies and challenges as required; 

4. work with secondary and Continuing Education schools to support the application, assessment, equivalency, and challenge processes and assist in the reporting of MPLAR credits; and,

5. work with principals to ensure that mature students who do not have appropriate documentation of prior learning owing to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., students who are refugees) will receive advice and/or referral to an appropriate service provider concerning the gathering and giving of evidence (see The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for more information).

 

2.5 Curriculum and Instructional Services shall:

1. support Continuing Education Services in hiring teachers to conduct MPLAR assessments, equivalencies, and challenges; and

2. work in partnership with Continuing Education Services to ensure MPLAR awareness and the development of equivalency and challenge materials. 

 

2.6 Principals of Secondary Schools and Continuing Education Services shall:

1. inform every student applicant of the policies and procedures related to MPLAR assessments, equivalencies and challenges;

2. inform students and parents where applicable, that they are responsible for initiating the MPLAR process and for satisfying all the requirements;

3. determine student  interest and eligibility to participate in the MPLAR process;

4. determine whether the student is eligible to apply for the MPLAR process through their home school (under the age of 21) or directly to Continuing Education Services (over the age of 21);

5. provide interested students with an application form and the curriculum documents necessary for the MPLAR process;

6. support students to submit the application and all required documentation in a timely manner;

7. assess submitted applications collaboratively with the student, school staff and Continuing Education Services to determine whether reasonable evidence for success exists and whether MPLAR assessment, equivalency or challenge should occur;

8. monitor students through the MPLAR process and grant MPLAR credits according to and upon completion of the MPLAR Plan;

9. file the appropriate MPLAR application and tracking forms in the student’s Ontario Student Record (OSR) and update the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST); and

10. ensure that students who present a completed diploma and/or degree from an accredited Canadian postsecondary institution or an Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship and/or Qualification are supported through the next steps of the process.

 

2.7 Principal of Continuing Education Services shall:

1. ensure teacher staffing support is available to prepare students for the assessment, equivalency, and challenge processes;

2. determine if mature students have any previous secondary school credits in Ontario;

3. evaluate each application in consultation with the student and/or parents/guardians, where applicable, and with appropriate school staff to determine whether reasonable evidence for equivalencies or a challenge exists and whether a MPLAR challenge should occur; 

4. engage students in the Grade 9 and 10 equivalency process, if required;

5. engage students in the Grade 11 and 12 equivalency and/or challenge process, if required; and

6. upon receiving results from a challenge, ensure that the MPLAR Record of Assessment of Challenge for Credit for a Course is maintained in the student's OSR and the OST is updated.

 

2.8 Students shall:

1. determine their interest and eligibility to participate in the MPLAR process;

2. apply for the MPLAR process through their home school (under the age of 21) or directly to Continuing Education Services (over the age of 21);

3. complete the MPLAR Process Application indicating that they intend to participate in an assessment, equivalency and/or intend to challenge a credit;

4. provide all required documentation in a timely fashion; and

5. follow and complete the personalized MPLAR plan.

 

3. Contact

Curriculum and Instructional Services 

Continuing Education Services 

 

4. History

Drafted: November 2022

Revised: October 2023