Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) for Secondary Students
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a formal evaluation and credit-granting process that allows mature students to obtain credits for knowledge and skills learned outside of school. PLAR can help students who will be 18 years of age or over on or before August 31 of the current school year, who are interested in earning credits for work and life experiences.
Overview
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for mature students is the formal evaluation and credit‐granting process whereby mature students may obtain secondary credits for prior learning. These credits can be applied towards earning the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). In some cases, applicants may be eligible for up to 26 of the 30 credits required for graduation. Students must complete the following credits outside of mPLAR: Grade 11 English, Grade 12 English, 1 Math (Grade 11 or Grade 12 credit), 1 additional senior credit, Ontario Literacy requirement and Community Service Hours (principals' discretion on the number required).
Who is eligible for PLAR?
To be eligible for PLAR students must:
- Be at least 18 years of age on or before August 31 of the current school year; and
- Have obtained less than 22 secondary credits when entering their fourth year (or more) of secondary school; and
- Be registered as a secondary student.
What are the benefits?
The goal of PLAR is to help mature students move faster and remove barriers to achieve an OSSD and efficiently move forward to sustainable employment, postsecondary education, and apprenticeship.
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Students have the potential to earn OSSD faster with the mPLAR process.
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Through mPLAR students earn high school credits for their knowledge, life and work experiences.
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If they do not graduate, students can transition to Adult Education to obtain their OSSD
What schooling and experiences can I get credit for?
You can earn credits for learning and skills you have acquired at school, at home, at work, in training programs, and volunteer work. This applies to schooling, work and experiences that you have from outside Ontario and Canada.
How does PLAR work?
Grade 9 and Grade 10 Assessment and Equivalency Process
A maximum of 16 Grade 9 and Grade 10 equivalent credits can be granted through either course completion or an assessment in a subject area. Arrangements are made through a Guidance counsellor or Student Success Teacher to write any assessments needed.
This is an individual assessment/equivalency process for the purpose of granting up to 16 Grade 9 and/or Grade 10 credits through: (a) review and analysis of transcripts, or (b) review and analysis of transcripts and completion of individual assessments, or (c) completion of individual assessments in the following subject areas:
- English
- Math
- Science
- History/Geography
Grade 11 and Grade 12 Credits
A student can earn up to 10 credits by providing evidence of experiences, training and accomplishments that indicate completion of learning similar to the expectations of specific courses in the Ontario Grade 11 and Grade 12 curriculum. A PLAR assessor will review how your life and work experience match current high school courses.
For example, your experiences in a part-time job or volunteer work may give evidence of learning that relates directly to the Ontario curriculum expectations for specific credits. In order to be granted credits, you will need to provide evidence for your learning. Here are some examples of experiences that may count towards credits:
- Training Certificates for short courses
- Letters of appraisal or recommendation from your employers
- Letters indicating volunteer experiences, including number of hours completed
- A document indicating languages spoken and written at the grade 11 or 12 level
- A detailed resume and ROEs, T4s, or paystubs
Contact Us
For more information please contact your home secondary school Guidance department.