What is PLAR?

• The PLAR Challenge Process is a process whereby active TDSB secondary or Continuing Education students may obtain credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma for knowledge and skills that they have acquired outside of the classroom.
• Students may “challenge” and earn a maximum of four credits for prior learning, including a maximum of two credits in any one discipline.
• Students’ prior learning is assessed and evaluated to determine whether they have met the provincial curriculum expectations in a specific course.

What you can challenge:

• • Current TDSB day school and Continuing Education students may challenge only Grades 10, 11 or 12 subjects that are
    currently being taught in TDSB secondary schools.

What you cannot challenge:

• • Credits granted through the International Baccalaureate Program as a result of the specialized nature of the additional
    curriculum and certification process
  • A Transfer course
  • Locally Developed courses or IDC (Interdisciplinary Courses)
  • Gifted option and course types
  • Cooperative Education courses
  • A subject where a higher level of credit has already been granted i.e. you have Grade 11 Science but not Grade 10, you may not challenge for the Grade 10 Science.
  • You cannot challenge between course types for the same course for example: when a student earns Grade 10 English Applied he/she cannot challenge the Grade 10 English Academic
  • Multi-credit Technology courses
  • English as a Second Language or English courses
  • French as a Second Language courses (core, extended, Immersion) if the student has earned one or more credits in Français (French as a First Language) from Français Policy Document 9-12, OSS.

NB: Extended/Immersion French students who challenge Core French will be removed from the Extended/Immersion Program.

How do I apply for the PLAR challenge?

• 1. Students are responsible for initiating the challenge process, and for independently satisfying all of the performance
  requirements associated with the specific course challenged.
  2. Attend the Information/Orientation session in February.
  3. Students must submit reasonable evidence of successfully meeting the provincial subject curriculum expectations, along
  with the challenge application, as proof that they are qualified to challenge for credit in a specific course, including a
  course prerequisite.

What is considered reasonable evidence for the challenge application?

• • Samples of relevant work, in keeping with Ministry curriculum expectations
  • Proof of successful relevant experience or independent learning
  • Video, audio or writing samples of relevant work

What if I take the challenge and am not successful?

• • If the application package is approved in April for the student to go through the challenge, chances are excellent that they will be successful in the challenge at the end of May.
  • Unsuccessful challenges will not be reported for Grade 10 courses. The policy for full disclosure that applies to all Grades 11
    and 12 courses taken during the day also applies to Grades 11 and 12 courses challenged under PLAR.

What do I need to enroll?

• • Credit Counselling Summary and/or Transcript
  • Birth Certificate and/or proof of citizenship
  • Proof of residency
  • Photo ID
  • $30 non-refundable Student Activity Fee – payable by Debit, American Express, MasterCard or VISA (No cash accepted)