Online learning graduation requirement
Students
are required to earn two online learning credits to graduate from
secondary school, beginning with every student who entered Grade 9 in
the 2020-21 school year. The online learning graduation requirement also
applies to adult learners that will be entering the Ontario secondary
school system starting in the 2023-24 school year. The graduation
requirement is intended to support students in developing familiarity
and comfort with learning and working in a fully online environment, as
well as developing digital literacy and other important transferable
skills that they will need for success after secondary school, including
in post-secondary education and the workplace.
Definition of online learning for this graduation requirement
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Online learning credits that count towards the
requirement are earned through courses that rely primarily on
communication between students and educators through the internet or
another digital platform.
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Online learning credits that count do not
generally require students to be physically present with one another or
with their educator in the school.
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In online learning courses delivered by schools in the publicly funded education system, coursework is teacher-led.
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Students from the same online class may follow different timetables and be from different schools or school boards.
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Students in publicly funded schools complete
their online coursework with the support of a certified Ontario educator
with whom they communicate, and who provides instruction, ongoing
feedback, assessment, evaluation and reporting as needed, including
implementing any accommodations and/or modifications identified in the
student’s Individual Education Plan.
Opting Out
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their children out of the mandatory
online learning credits required for graduation. To opt out, a
parent/guardian must submit the Secondary Online Learning Graduation Requirement Opt-out Form. Exemption from the online learning graduation requirements may be requested by:
- the parent/guardian of the secondary student
- students who are 18 years of age or older
- students who are 16 or 17 years of age and have withdrawn from parental control
Please contact guidance 705-431-5950 X 40290 if you have questions regarding the registration or opt-out process.