1. ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST
GRADE 10 ONLINE
ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL LITERACY TEST
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016
Goals of this presentation is to make sure you know what to expect on the test
To help you to be as successful as you can be.

2. What is the OSSLT? A provincial test of reading and writing skills
A diploma requirement for graduation from high school
Every student in the province will be writing this test on March 29
Students have been practicing the reading and writing skills for the test in all subject areas since the beginning of grade 9
At Hansen you also have had the opportunity to write two practice tests to get a feel for the format and types of questions that are on the OSSLT

3. When is the Literacy Test?
Thursday, October 20 - Be here!!
2 Sessions: AM and PM

4. Where is the test?
In classrooms throughout the school and the library
You were given a letter that communicated the time you are to be at school on the test day – Now you will need to find out what ROOM you are writing in.
CHECK THE POSTINGS OUTSIDE THE MAIN OFFICE BEFORE THE TEST DAY - to learn where you are writing the online test October 20.
If you have a question or problem, see Mrs. Quinton ASAP
If you haven't checked your name and room number on the list posted in the Atrium please do so today. If you are unsure your test location is it would be a good ideas to take a stroll and check it out before the day of the test.

5. Be in your assigned room by 8:15 a.m.
AM Session Writers
Be in your assigned room by 8:15 a.m.
(8:30 - 9:45) Online Session One (75 min.)
(9:45-10:00) Break (15 min.)
(10:00 -11:15) Online Session Two (75 min.)
(11: :25) Questionnaire (10 min.)
Note: English Language Learners and Special Education students will have extra time.

6. Be in your assigned room by 11:30 a.m.
PM Session Writers
Be in your assigned room by 11:30 a.m.
(11:45 – 1:00) Online Session One (75 min.)
(1:00 -1:15) Break (15 min.)
(1:15 – 2:30) Online Session Two (75 min.)
(2:30 – 2:40) Questionnaire (10 min.)
Note: English Language Learners and Special Education students will have extra time.

7. Break
Your break will take place on the same floor as you are writing the OSSLT
Snacks will be provided
You will begin Session 2 promptly after 15 minutes. Don't be late.
Do not leave the test floor as we don't want to interrupt other students who may still be writing. As the break is short there isn't time to go to lockers are vending machines. We want you back in class within 15 minutes so you start Booklet 2 on time.
Teachers will distribute granola bars in the classroom. Water will be available in the hallway on the floor where you are writing. If you would like something different to eat during the break you will need to bring it with you.

8. Punctuality
It is very important that you arrive on time as teachers will have to hand out your Session Tickets, which you will need to complete the test.

9. If you are late…
You may run the risk of not having access to a computer
If you are up to 5 minutes late in the classroom, you will be allowed to write in your test room
If you are more than 5 minutes late, you are to report to Room 112
PLEASE be on time.

10. What to Bring 1-2 writing tools (Pencil or Pen)
Bring snacks if you would like something other than a granola bar for break.

11. What NOT to Bring
It is recommended that you DO NOT bring your cellphones or any kind of device. If you can, leave them at home, or keep them in your lockers turned off.
All cellphones MUST be turned off or put on airplane mode and out of sight.
Bring snacks if you would like something other than a granola bar for break.

12. What NOT to Bring
All of your belongings will be placed at the front of the classroom, or wherever the teacher-proctor tells you to leave your stuff
You will NOT be allowed to access your phones during the break
Bring snacks if you would like something other than a granola bar for break.

13. What you will receive… Session 1 and 2 Test Tickets (Login Passwords)
Instruction Sheet – How to start and end the online test
Instructions and Navigation Tools Sheet
A pen/pencil
Scrap paper – any papers you use for scrap will be collected and destroyed by the teacher
Return all Session 1 and 2 Tickets to the teacher after you completed the test

14. Your teacher is not allowed to provide any assistance to you
Cannot re-word questions
Cannot review your work or make suggestions
Cannot inform you whether you are on the right track or not
Other than reading the instructions your supervising teachers cannot help you

15. Your teacher IS allowed to provide TECHNICAL assistance
IF…
You are having trouble logging onto the portal
If your Ticket information does not match the information on the confirmation screen
If your computer malfunctions or shuts down
Cannot inform you whether you are on the right track or not
Other than reading the instructions your supervising teachers cannot help you

16. Reading Selections Informational paragraph (225-250 words)
News report ( words)
Real life narrative:
an account of a significant time in an individual's life (about 600 words)
Dialogue: conversation between two or more people ( words)
There are two types of informational reading: the informational paragraph and the news report
Real life narrative examples-publishing a book at 15, a train wreck

17. Reading Selections Graphic (fewer than 150 words):
includes diagrams, photographs, drawings, patterns, schedules, maps, charts or tables

18. Reading Selections Types of Questions
Multiple Choice - four options
Open Response (450 words) related to the ideas and information presented in the information paragraph, news report or dialogue reading

19. Writing Tasks Long Writing Tasks Short Writing Tasks
News report (1250 words)
Series of paragraphs expressing an opinion (2500 words)
Short Writing Tasks
(450 words)

20. Writing Tasks Multiple Choice Questions Organization of ideas
Main idea
Sentence and paragraph structure
Language conventions

21. Test Instructions and Questions
READ… READ… READ…
READ INSTRUCTIONS CLOSELY
REREAD…
DO NOT JUST SKIM AND SCAN INSTRUCTIONS
* READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CLOSELY *
If you are asked to use information in the text to support your answer make sure you go back to the reading selection

22. Test Questions Read all questions and do only what is asked
For example, if you are asked to write ONE paragraph, be sure that you write only ONE
If you are asked to write 450 words, be sure to write ONLY 450 words.
If you are asked to use information in the text to support your answer make sure you go back to the reading selection
Write in full sentences and watch for spelling, grammar and punctuation

23. If you are asked to write 450 words, be sure to write ONLY 450 words.
Word count will be indicated at the top of the textbox
If you are asked to use information in the text to support your answer make sure you go back to the reading selection
If you write offensive material, your work may not be marked and the Principal will be notified

24. Using Notepad Feature
If you think a question is silly still answer it? What is your favourite season and why?

25. Multiple Choice Questions
Make sure you select the desired response by clicking on the actual letter and make sure it turns blue.

26. Timing/Pacing I
FOLLOW THE TIME THAT IS ON YOUR SCREEN. IF YOU DO NOT FINISH BY THE BREAK, KEEP WRITING – THE TIMING WILL BE OFF FOR EVERY STUDENT. YOU WON’T ALL FINISH AT THE EXACT TIME. GO BY THE TIME THAT IS ON YOUR SCREEN. THE TEST MIGHT CUT INTO YOUR BREAK BY 5-10 MINUTES. DEPENDS.
If you think a question is silly still answer it? What is your favourite season and why?

27. If you finish early…
Review your work – check for spelling, grammar and punctuation. Check that you have answered all questions correctly, fully and to the best of your ability
Log out of your computer. Sit quietly and wait for others to finish. You cannot leave early, and you cannot surf the net or be on your cellphone while you wait. DO NOT TALK TO YOUR PEERS at anytime during the test!
You cannot leave the test early.

28. If you finish early, Review your test!
Review your test before you press FINISH. Make sure you have answered all questions. Try not to skip any questions. Go back and respond to the ones you skipped.

29. Cheating EQAO investigates tests with similar results
If you are caught cheating your test will not count
Remember – Turn off ALL cell phones/electronic devices – Keep them out of sight!
You will need to see an administrator
You will need to do the test again next year

30. Don’t worry… Last year 92% of Fraser students were successful
Based on the reading and writing skills across all subject areas up to the end of grade 9

31. You’ve been coached Practice Lessons
Language Conventions and Graphical Texts
Informational Text and Summary
Newspaper Report
Series of paragraphs expressing an opinion
Online Practices
Counting on You
Counting On You

32. Resources and More Practice
EQAO link - You can find sample versions of the online test via this EQAO website:
School Website – - OSSLT (Academics Tab)
This PPT will be posted on our school website
Please share this information with your parents

33. After the Test
In a few months, you will receive notification indicating whether or not you have passed the October 20 online test
Not successful- you will have the opportunity to write the retest again in March 2017
Unsuccessful again - you may fulfill the OSSLT literacy requirement by successfully completing the OLC in grade 12
What happens after the test?

34. What ifs?
This is EQAO’s very first time to administer a province-wide ONLINE test – IF we encounter a major technical overload, that may cause all computers to shutdown – Do NOT panic!
IF YOU personally encounter any technical difficulties, please tell your teacher ASAP. We will try our best to fix the problem and get you back on to write, but in the event that we cannot, please do NOT panic – Know that technical problems will not be counted against you, and you can rewrite the test in March.

35. Do your very best… and good luck!