1. Information for Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Prior Learning Assessment
and Recognition (PLAR)
Challenge for a Credit
Information for Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Curriculum and Instruction Support Services
Curriculum Instruction Support Services

2. The PLAR Challenge Process
(Source Policy/Program Memorandum No. 129)
PLAR is a formal assessment and credit granting process to 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;
The student’s knowledge and skills for the challenged course are assessed to determine if the student has met the Ontario curriculum expectations.

3. PLAR is not…
an opportunity to learn course content, guided by a teacher;
an independent study.

4. PLAR Challenge Process
Steps
Description
1. Overview
Review the PLAR Challenge Process.
2. Application Package
Review relevant Ontario curriculum documents;
Gather evidence of learning;
Complete and submit the PLAR Application Package by February 1st.
3. Assessment and
Evaluation
Completion of assessment and evaluation:
- Knowledge & Skills Portfolio (70% of final grade) March;
- Formal Tests (Assessments) (30% of final grade) April.
4. Recording and
Reporting
Final percentage grade communicated to student, parent/guardian, and home school.

5. Frequently Asked Questions
STEP 1: Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to submit a PLAR challenge?
Current Peel District School Board students registered in a secondary school.
Is parent/guardian permission required?
Yes, if the student is under 18 years of age.

6. Frequently asked questions continued
STEP 1: Overview
Frequently asked questions continued
What courses are students able to challenge for credit?
Grade 10, 11 or 12 course found in the Ontario curriculum and offered in the Peel District School Board.
How many courses are students able to challenge for credit?
Students may earn no more than four credits including a maximum of two credits in any one subject area.

7. STEP 1: Overview
Students cannot be granted credits through the challenge process for any of the following:
a course where a credit has already been granted;
a course previously attempted but not earned;
a course where curriculum expectations significantly overlap with those from a course where a credit was previously granted
a course in any subject if a credit has already been granted in a higher grade in that same subject area;

8. STEP 1: Overview
Students cannot be granted credits through the challenge process for any of the following: continued
a course in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Literacy Development (ELD) if the student has previously been granted one or more credits in English;
a locally developed course;
a cooperative education course;
a course in French as a Second Language if the student has one or more credits from a French school.

9. Application Form STEP 2: Application Package
Note: This form requires the signature of the Principal
(or designate) of the student’s home school.

10. Student Paragraph STEP 2: Application Package
not evaluated as a component of the course being challenged;
an opportunity to indicate why challenging for this credit will help support fulfilling educational goals;
an opportunity to connect special interests and skills related to the course being challenged.
Note: Refer to your Individual Pathways Plan (IPP) on myBlueprint.

11. Letter of Recommendation #1 Subject Teacher/Guidance Counsellor
STEP 2: Application Package
Letter of Recommendation #1
Subject Teacher/Guidance Counsellor
Completed by:
Subject teacher or guidance counsellor
Student is required to review with the subject teacher
or guidance counsellor the following:
PLAR information (
course expectations and achievement chart (

12. Letter of Recommendation #2 Community Member
STEP 2: Application Package
Letter of Recommendation #2 Community Member
Completed by:
Community member e.g., coach, instructor.
Student is required to review with the community member the following:
PLAR information (
course expectations and achievement chart (

13. Knowledge and Skills Portfolio
STEP 2: Application Package
Knowledge and Skills Portfolio
Summary of Course Expectations and Demonstrations of Prior Learning
In order to complete this form:
reflect on your prior learning relevant to the course being challenged;
refer to current Ontario curriculum specific to the course being challenged;
refer to the achievement chart and rubrics specific to the subject area of the course being challenged.
refer to the student tip sheet for assistance found at:

14. Knowledge and Skills Portfolio continued
STEP 2: Application Package
Knowledge and Skills Portfolio continued
Evidence of Learning
Select 3 to 5 of the prior learnings briefly described in the chart above to expand on when completing the Evidence of Learning form shown below.

15. Examples of ways learned knowledge and skills may be presented:
STEP 2: Application Package
Knowledge and Skills Portfolio
Evidence of Learning continued
Examples of ways learned knowledge
and skills may be presented:
Artifact
Audio
Blog
Certificate
Demonstration
Description
Essay
Interview
Journal
Video

16. Timelines STEP 3: Assessment and Evaluation February 1st
PLAR Application Package Due
March
Notified by of the date, time and location of Formal Tests/Assessments.
Note: A conference with the teacher assessor may be required.
April
Formal Tests/Assessments
Note: May require multiple evenings.
May
Student Report with final grade will be mailed to home school to be added to the student’s transcript.

17. Accommodations STEP 3: Assessment and Evaluation
Accommodations will be provided to eligible special education students and English Language Learners;
Students requiring these supports are asked to consult with the teacher–assessor prior to the Formal Tests/Assessments.

18. How will I be assessed/evaluated?
STEP 3: Assessment and Evaluation
How will I be assessed/evaluated?
The assessment and evaluation will be based on evidence collected from three different sources:
observations, conversations, and products.
Sources
Examples
1. Observation
Demonstration
Performance
2. Conversations
Interview
Conference
3. Products
Journal
Written Test
(Source Growing Success Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools)

19. How will I be assessed/evaluated? continued
STEP 3: Assessment and Evaluation
How will I be assessed/evaluated? continued
Your knowledge & skills will be assessed in all 4 of the achievement categories:
Knowledge & Understanding
Thinking
Communication
Application
Refer to achievement chart categories and rubrics specific to the subject area of the course being challenged.

20. How will the final grade be determined?
STEP 3: Assessment and Evaluation
How will the final grade be determined?
Knowledge and Skills Portfolio (70%)
Variety of assessments submitted by the student by February 1st.
Formal Tests/Assessments (30%)
Balance between written work and practical demonstrations administered by the teacher-assessor in April evening(s).

21. How will results be communicated to the student and parent/guardian ?
STEP 4: Recording and Reporting
How will results be communicated to the student and parent/guardian ?
A Student Report will be sent to the home school to share with the student and their family.

22. How are my results shared with my school?
STEP 4: Recording and Reporting
How are my results shared with my school?
A Final Report will be sent to your home school.
1. Your Guidance Counsellor will:
2. The following will be recorded on your Ontario Student Transcript (OST):
file the Final Report in your OSR, and
update your credit history.
a percentage grade for any successfully
challenged Grade 10 course;
a percentage grade for both successfully
and unsuccessfully Grade 11 and 12 courses
challenged.

23. If you require more information please contact:
Instructional Coordinator
Pathways, Guidance and Career Education
ext. 2551