What is PLAR?
- Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition is a formal evaluation and accreditation process.
- A student who believes that she or he possesses the full range of knowledge and skills for any Grade 10 -12 courses offered in the York Region District School Board may apply to challenge the course for credit.
- Students may earn no more than four credits through the challenge process, including a maximum of two credits in any one discipline.
Who is eligible to challenge a course for credit?
- Secondary school students who are enrolled in a regular day school program in a secondary school.
- Students under the age of eighteen need parental approval before applying to challenge for credit for a course.
- Students who have their Principal’s approval.
- Mature students (not attending a regular day school) are able to challenge Grade 11 and 12 courses for credit.
What do I need to know about the PLAR Challenge in York Region?
- The PLAR challenge assessments will take place virtually on July 4, 2023.
- Completed applications, including the student paragraph and supporting proof of readiness to challenge, must be submitted to your guidance department by March 9, 2023.
- Some tasks for evaluation need to be completed by the student before July 4 —specific details will be communicated to applicants in the spring.
Additional Challenge Information
Appeal Procedure
In cases where there is a disagreement with the decision of the principal about whether a student should challenge for credit, an adult student or the parent of a student who is not an adult may ask the appropriate supervisory officer to review the matter.
Repeating the challenge
A student may submit an application for challenge for a specific course for a second time after a reasonable interval, if the student can provide reasonable evidence of additional study and experience.
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessment and evaluation strategies will be based on curriculum expectations and achievement charts in the Ontario curriculum policy. They will include formal tests and other assessment strategies with a balance between written work and practical demonstrations that is appropriate for the subject/discipline and that may include written assignments, quizzes, demonstrations, performances, laboratory work, and observation of the student.
Withdrawal Policy
A student may withdraw from the challenge process prior to the final formal test without a notation on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST). If students have entered the final phase of the challenge process in the summer, and then choose to withdraw from the process, a mark will be entered on the OST (Grade 11 and 12) and on the Cumulative Tracking Record (Grades 10-12).
Final Mark
The student’s final percentage grade will be recorded on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST) in the same way as achievement in other courses. For challenges of Grade 10 courses, only passing percentage grades will be entered on the OST. For challenges to Grade 11 and 12 courses, both passing and failing percentage grades and withdrawals will be entered on the OST.