1. CHOICES FOR NINE THE TRANSITION FROM GRADE 8 TO 9 Guidance Program & Services Department Success for all Learners 2010-2011 Toronto District School Board

2. To inform students how to make a smooth and successful transition from grade 8 to 9 To assist parents and students in making informed choices for grade 9 To raise student and parent awareness of the various program pathways available throughout the TDSB Check out Education Planning at www.tdsb.on.ca/programs/ www.tdsb.on.ca/programs/ Our Goals This Evening Are:

3. www.tdsb.on.ca/programwww.tdsb.on.ca/program > Guidance Program & Service > Educational Planning TDSB Website

4. Format of Presentation Part A: Part A: Promotion, Transfer, and Retention Procedures Part B Part B: Messages for Success Part C Part C: Ontario Secondary Schools Part D Part D: Specific School Information Specialized Programs

5. Part A Promotion, Transfer & Retention

6. Educational Planning

7. Promotion, Transfer & Retention Criteria A student is promoted when: 1. The student has successfully completed the curriculum expectations in each of the following grade 8 subjects at a Level 1 or higher: English French Geography Mathematics Science & Technology AND 2. The student has achieved an average equivalent to Level 1, or higher, across all grade 8 subjects. A student is transferred when: The student has not met the criteria as outlined for Promotion or Special Education Students who are deemed exceptional and are working on a modified program are transferred. Program recommendations are discussed during the spring IPRC English Language Learners ESL/ELD students who may be working on a modified program and may not be meeting grade level curriculum expectations are transferred to the following grade

8. Part B MessagesforSuccess

9. Where do students go after secondary school? Where do students go after secondary school? University Work without diploma Work with diploma Grade 9 Enrollment Independent living Apprenticeship College

10. The Importance of Credit Accumulation TDSB Grade 9 Cohort Study: 2000-2004

11. Part C Ontario Secondary Schools

12. Credit System Once a course is completed successfully a credit is granted To pass a course one must achieve a level of 50% or higher Students are expected to take 8 courses a year To graduate from high school a student must earn 30 credits

13. Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) Total of 30 course credits (110 hours per credit) –18 compulsory courses –12 elective courses (options) 40 hrs. Community Involvement –Begins in September of Grade 9 Ontario Literacy Requirement –Written Test in Grade 10 (OSSLT)

14. Course Types in Grade 9 and 10: Applied Academic Locally Developed Compulsory Credit (LDCC) Open

15. Making Your Choices: Choosing Success!

16. 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, Dance) Business Guidance (Learning Strategies) Exploring Technologies Physical Education

17. 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

18. Making Your Choice Grade 9 Science AcademicApplied formulate scientific questions related to reproduction gather, record, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data using an appropriate format plan ways to model and/or simulate an answer to questions asked about the motion of celestial objects identify a current problem or concern relating to reproduction organize and record information gathered formulate scientific questions about a problem or issue in space exploration

19. Making Your Choice Grade 9 English AcademicApplied analyze information, ideas, and elements to make inferences locate and evaluate information and ideas from sources select narrative style and appropriate level of language to suit the form, audience and purpose of the work describe information, ideas, opinions and themes locate and record information and ideas from sources identify the specific audience for each piece of writing

20. Making Your Choice: Making Your Choice: Locally Developed Compulsory Credit For students with gaps in knowledge and skills in the specific discipline 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. A Sample Course Selection

25. 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)

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

27. Semestered Schools  Students take 8 courses in 2 blocks of time: 4 courses from September to January 4 courses from February to June  All 4 courses taken daily

28. Non-Semestered Schools 8 courses taken throughout the school year Courses taken every other day

29. Part D Optional Attendance Choices for Nine Timelines

30. Choices: Planning Guides Choices for Nine delivered each fall and Choices: Secondary Schools Course Selection & Planning Guide Arrives each January with Course Selection Sheets

31. The Year Ahead

32. Information Nights at Secondary Schools Program and school specific information is shared Information evening dates are listed in the Choices for Nine brochure and on the TDSB Website www.tdsb.on.ca/programs/ www.tdsb.on.ca/programs/

33. Dates and Times on Website

34. Website: http://www.tdsb.on.cahttp://www.tdsb.on.ca Click on “Find your School” and enter your home address Home School

35. Find Your School

36. Students are encouraged to attend their home school Must use an “Optional Attendance Application Form” when applying to a school other than their home school Forms available at Grade 8 school Specific information regarding Optional Attendance Procedures will follow in early January Optional Attendance

37. January List of “Closed” and “Limited” schools made available Optional Attendance applications available from elementary schools Distribution of Course Selection Sheets Important Dates

38. February February 1, 2011 - Optional Attendance applications due to secondary schools – delivered by student/parent/guardian February 14, 2011 - Secondary schools will inform Optional Attendance applicants by this date Mid to late February 2011 – Course Selection sheets completed and returned to elementary teacher/counsellor March 1, 2011 - All Course Selection sheets are due to secondary schools – delivered by Elementary Counsellor ** Only ONE course selection sheet per student is submitted for ONE secondary school by the elementary school counsellor Specific Dates

39. Information Nights at Specialized Schools If you want to investigate specialized schools or programs, contact the specific school for admission requirements Other requirements may include auditions, tests, interviews, etc. Check DEADLINE DATES for application

40. Where are these specialized schools/programs? Check Choices for Nine legend www.tdsb.on.ca/programs select Guidance Programs and Services then Educational Planning then Choices for Secondary School

41. What Are the Specialized Program? Ontario Secondary Schools

42. Any questions???