10.1 Continuing education

Continuing education supports learners of all ages by offering credit and non-credit learning opportunities during days, evenings, weekends and summers. These include:

  • credit courses for adolescents and adults
  • international and Indigenous language programs for elementary school students (see section 2.5.3)
  • remedial literacy and numeracy programs for students in Grades 7 to 12 as well as their families
  • non-credit Indigenous language programs for adults

A statement of achievement for all credit courses delivered through continuing education will be reported on each student’s provincial report card, which will be issued by the principal of the continuing education program. Each student’s achievement will also be reported to the principal of the school that holds their Ontario Student Record for recording on their Ontario Student Transcript (see section 4.1.2).

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10.1.1 Adult education

Adult education provides opportunities for adults to complete their Ontario Secondary School Diploma or specific credit courses required for entry into postsecondary institutions, apprenticeship programs or the workplace. Flexible for-credit programming offered online, during the day, in the evenings (see section 10.1.3), on weekends and during the summer (see section 10.1.2) allows adults to learn while fulfilling other obligations. Courses generally include 90–110 hours of instructional time and may be offered in modules, terms or quadmesters of approximately six to eight weeks.

Adult education programs may include non-credit Indigenous language courses or remedial literacy and numeracy programs. In partnership with other ministries, they may also offer:

  • literacy training programs for adults
  • non-credit English or French as a second language training programs for adults

Because of the broader life experience of mature students, the prior learning assessment and recognition process is a critical tool for ensuring the formal and informal learning experiences of adults are recognized for credit. This supports a smoother path to further education, training or the workplace (see section 7.2.4.2).

10.1.2 Summer school

School boards may offer summer school programs through continuing education to elementary, secondary and adult students. The terms of admission to a secondary course offered through summer school will be determined by the board that operates the summer school. A summer school program may not begin until after the last school day in the regular school year (with the exception of pre-placement activities for summer cooperative education programs) and must end before the first school day of the following school year.

For-credit summer school courses may be offered to meet a variety of student needs, such as:

  • taking additional credit courses, including dual credits (see sections 7.3.3 and 8.6)
  • retaking courses they have not successfully completed or improve their achievement in courses they have already taken
  • achieving a credit through credit recovery of a course they have not successfully completed (see section 7.5.1)
  • completing required components of specialized programs (for example, specialist high skills major programs)

Summer school credit courses must fulfil the same credit requirements as courses offered during the regular school year, including the requirement that each one-credit course be scheduled for 110 hours.

The principal of the continuing education program must ensure all for-credit courses meet the curriculum expectations.

Boards may also offer non-credit summer school courses and programs to address elementary and secondary students’ remedial needs and interests, such as programs for students with special education needs.

On or before the last day of August, a statement of achievement in credit courses will be issued by the principal of the summer school. For-credit courses will also be reported on the provincial report card and to the principal of the school that holds the student’s Ontario Student Record for recording on the Ontario Student Transcript (see section 4.1.2).

10.1.3 Evening credit courses

School boards may offer evening credit courses through continuing education to day school students and adults who need to complete requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or for entry into postsecondary institutions, apprenticeship training or the workplace.

To be considered for admission to an evening for-credit continuing education course, including dual credits (see sections 7.3.3 and 8.6), a day school student must provide:

  • a statement signed by their day school principal granting enrolment in the course
  • evidence of parental approval for students under the age of 18 who have not withdrawn from parental control

All evening for-credit courses must be at least 90 hours long. The principal of the continuing education program must ensure all courses meet the relevant curriculum expectations to align with the day school program. A statement of achievement will be reported on each student’s provincial report card, which will be issued by the principal of the continuing education program. The achievement will also be reported to the principal of the school that holds the student’s Ontario Student Record for recording on the Ontario Student Transcript (see section 4.1.2).

10.2 Independent study

Independent study is an arrangement through which a student is excused from attending some or all classes in a course to study independently under the supervision of a teacher.

There is no restriction on the number of classes a principal may allow for independent study within any given course. The course’s teacher is responsible for assigning course components, suggesting available resources, evaluating achievement, and ensuring the work involved is equivalent to that expected in the time scheduled for the course. Students must demonstrate achievement of the overall curriculum expectations of the course. Achievement of the course will be issued on the provincial report card and recorded by the principal on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript.

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10.3 Private study

A student may be permitted to take one or more course through private study if the school is willing to monitor progress and evaluate work and one of the following:

  • the student is deemed to have a valid reason for not attending classes
  • the school does not offer the course(s)

Courses offered through the Independent Learning Centre (see section 10.4) may form part of a private study program.

Students should submit an application for private study to the principal of the school that will monitor the learning:

  • on or before the first school day in September (or the beginning of semester 1) if the student intends to complete the course by January 31
  • on or before the first school day in February (or the beginning of semester 2) if the student intends to complete the course by June 30

Achievement in courses taken through private study will be issued on the provincial report card and recorded by the principal on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript.

10.4 Independent Learning Centre

Students may take courses for credit toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma through the Independent Learning Centre (ILC). ILC courses offer distance education through an independent study model with support from secondary school teachers certified through the Ontario College of Teachers.

When a student has taken a Grade 11 or 12 ILC course or successfully completed a Grade 9 or 10 ILC course, the principal of the school that holds the student’s Ontario Student Record will record the achievement on their Ontario Student Transcript. Grade 9 and 10 courses not successfully completed will not be recorded.

Students under the age of 18 may take an ILC course with the principal’s permission if their school has a day school agreement with the ILC. Adult learners and students not enrolled in a public school may enroll directly with the ILC. See the ILC website for more information about eligibility, enrolment procedures and course offerings.

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10.4.1 High School Equivalency Certificate: The Canadian Adult Education Credential

The Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) is for adults who do not have a high school diploma but need an education credential to open doors to educational, training or employment opportunities. Ontario candidates who successfully complete the CAEC will receive an Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate. The Independent Learning Centre is the exclusive provider of CAEC testing in Ontario.

Although no longer available in Ontario, the General Educational Development (GED) continues to be a recognized credential and remains valid for those individuals who have previously passed all GED test subjects.

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10.5 Private schools

Students who attend ministry-inspected private schools or First Nation/federally operated schools that offer courses for credit toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) may be eligible to earn the OSSD if they fulfil all requirements. All credits achieved will be recorded on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript (OST).

Students registered in publicly funded schools may concurrently earn credits through an inspected private school. The principal of the publicly funded school will record the credit with the notation “P” in the “Notes” column on the student’s OST.

Private schools, including First Nation/federally operated schools, that request the authority to offer credits toward the OSSD must meet the same requirements related to credit integrity, assessment and reporting as publicly funded schools. They must also meet the additional requirements and procedures set out in the “Private Schools: Policy and Procedures Manual” and other relevant policy documents or legislation related to private schools.