CHOICES FOR NINE THE TRANSITION FROM GRADE 8 TO 9 Guidance Program & Services Department Success for all Learners Zion Heights JHS

Presentation Overview Part A Part A: Choices for Nine Optional Attendance and Timelines Part B Part B: Messages for Success Part C Part C: Ontario Secondary School Program

TDSB Website > Guidance Program & Service > Educational Planning

Educational Planning

Part A Optional AttendanceOptional Attendance Choices for Nine and Timelines

Choices: Planning Guides Choices for Nine (October) Choices: Secondary Schools Course Selection & Planning Guide (January/February)

Website: Click on “Find your School” and enter your home address Home School

Find Your School

Information Nights at Secondary Schools Information evening dates are listed in the Choices for Nine brochure and on the TDSB Website:

Information Nights at Specialized Schools  Specialized programs are designed for students with a strong passion and skill in a specific area  If you want to investigate specialize schools or programs, contact the specific school for admission requirements  Special requirements may include auditions, tests, interviews, etc.  Check DEADLINE DATES for applications

Where are these specialized schools/programs? Check Choices for Nine legend select Guidance Programs and Services then Educational Planning then Choices for Secondary School

Students are encouraged to attend their home school Must use an “Optional Attendance Application Form” when applying to a school other than home school (forms available at Grade 8 school) Students may apply to: two regular schools two specialized schools or programs Some schools are closed to Optional Attendance Choices for 9 - Optional Attendance

January - List of “Closed” and “Limited” schools made available & Optional Attendance applications available February 1, Optional Attendance applications due to secondary schools – delivered by student/parent/guardian February 14, Secondary schools will inform Optional Attendance applicants March 1, All Course Selection sheets are due to secondary schools – delivered by current school counsellor * Some schools may be doing “On-Line Course Selection” Only ONE course selection sheet may be submitted for ONE secondary school Important Dates

Messages for Success Part B

“16 by 16” 16 credits by 16 years of age Key Message for Success

Dropout rate of Grade 10's based on credit accumulation 0% 20% 40% 60% Number of Credits Earned by 16 years of age Dropout rate 40% 32% 21% 14% 5% The Importance of Credit Accumulation TDSB Grade 10 Cohort Study:

Where do students go after Where do students go after secondary school?

Ontario Secondary Schools Part C

Credit System Once a course is completed successfully a credit is granted (50% or higher) Students are expected to take 8 courses a year To graduate from high school a student must earn 30 credits

ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA (O.S.S.D.) Total of 30 credits –18 compulsory subjects –12 options or electives * To pass a course one must achieve a level of at least 50% 40 hrs. Community Involvement –Begins in July after Grade 8 Ontario Literacy Requirement –Written Test in Grade 10 (OSSLT)

Compulsory Credits Students Must Earn The Following 15 Compulsory Credits: 4 English - one credit per grade 1 French as a Second Language 3 Mathematics - at least one in grade 11 or 12 2 Science 1 Canadian History 1 Canadian Geography 1 Arts ( Visual Arts, Music, Integrated Arts, Media, Drama or Dance) 1 Health and Physical Education 0.5 Civics 0.5 Career Studies

Compulsory Credits Con’t Plus ONE CREDIT from each of the following 3 Groups: Group 1 An additional English credit or French as a second language*, or third language, or Social Science and Humanities credit, or Canadian and World Studies credit, or Guidance and Career Education credit, or Cooperative Education credit* * A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education and 2 credits in French can count as compulsory credits.

Group 2 One credit in Health and Physical Education, or the Arts, or Business Studies, or French as a second language or Cooperative Education * Group 3 One credit in Gr. 11 or 12 Science, or a credit in Technological Education, or Computer Studies, or French as a second language or Cooperative Education * * A maximum of 2 credits in Cooperative Education and 2 credits in French can count as compulsory credits. Compulsory Credits Con’t

Course Types in Grade 9 and 10: Open Academic Applied Locally Developed Compulsory Credit Making the right choices = choosing success!

What is an Open Course? Learning expectations are the same for all students Designed to prepare students for further study and to enrich general education in a subject Can be compulsory or elective credits Grade 9 Open Courses Include:  Arts (Music, Visual Arts, Drama, Integrated Arts)  Introduction to Business  Food & Nutrition  Guidance (Learning Strategies)  Exploring Technologies  Physical Education

Academic Courses Cover the core content and have an emphasis on the theoretical aspects of the content Applied Courses Cover the core content and have an emphasis on practical applications Academic & Applied Courses

Locally Developed Compulsory Credits  For students with significant gaps in knowledge and skills in a specific subject  Ideal for students who need support with the curriculum content in grade 9  Students who require two or more Locally Developed Compulsory Credit Courses or who require significant modification to their program will be assisted in investigating programs/schools that provide a full array of supports and services to meet their unique needs

Work Habits Work Habits Sample Academic Works independently in a focused manner Synthesis skills – uses prior knowledge and experience to assist with solving problems Completes homework consistently and thoroughly Applied Works in a focused manner (not always independently) Applies new learning to tasks (may need reminding of previous knowledge) May need assistance to organize and complete homework Locally Developed Works in a focused manner with prompting Applies new learning to tasks that have been directly modeled in the lesson May begin homework in class with direction and take home to complete

English Language Learners English Language Learners (ESL/ELD) Prepare students for success in English and other courses ESL/ELD credits count as compulsory English credits (to a maximum of 3 credits) Students will be placed in Level A, B, C, D or E Can move to Academic/Applied/LDCC courses when appropriate

Changing Course Type After Grade 9: Gr. 9 Academic Gr. 9 Applied Gr. 9 LDCC Gr. 10 Academic Gr. 10 Applied Gr. 10 LDCC (except Mathematics)

Changing Course Type After Grade 9 for Mathematics: Gr. 9 Academic Gr. 9 Applied Gr. 9 LDCC Gr. 10 Academic Gr. 10 Applied LDCC Gr. 10 LDCC Gr. 9 Applied to Gr. 10 Academic Mathematics ( T = Transfer Course worth 0.5 credit ) T

Grades 9 and 10 Applied Academic Locally Developed Open Grades 11 and 12 College Workplace University College/University Open Making Your Choices

Zion’s Grade 9 Course Selection Sheets* Distributed in class the week of February 4 th Due in homeroom by February 20 th * most Zion students will complete course selection on-line using

Online educational & career planning tool myBlueprint.ca for students and parents

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