Implementation lists for school principals

Overview

Use these checklists to confirm you have the resources and staff to offer a high-quality Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program.

Your school staff:

• are knowledgeable, collaborative and committed to championing your SHSM
• promote the 4 SHSM pathways
• understand the 5 required components of the SHSM program
• know how to register SHSM students and track their progress
• support SHSM students and teachers throughout the program

If your school offers contextualized learning activities (CLAs):

• teachers of other required credit courses are ready to integrate CLAs into their Grade 11 and/or 12 courses

Your school SHSM team:

• includes staff members such as:
  • the principal (you)
  • vice-principal
  • guidance counsellor
  • co-op teacher
  • special education teacher
  • subject teachers
• can ensure implementation of the 5 components of an SHSM
• has clear processes for program delivery, student tracking and evaluation
• includes SHSM sector advisors and has partnerships with:
  • community and sector organizations
  • postsecondary institutions
  • training centres

The school SHSM team

Procedures

Use this checklist to confirm the school SHSM team has established procedures to:

• complete and review the school SHSM plan
• enrol students in the SHSM program
• track and manage SHSM student progress, including:
  • credits earned
  • certifications and training programs completed
  • experiential learning and career exploration activities
  • reach ahead experiences
  • sector-partnered experiences (SPEs)
  • CLAs completed in their other required credit courses
• identify students' needs and provide additional support
• promote the SHSM in the school, area elementary schools, and with parents in the community
• collect data (such as feedback from students, staff, parents and partners) to evaluate program success
• monitor budget spending
• prepare reports for the school board and the Ministry of Education

Roles and responsibilities

Make sure your school SHSM team has assigned roles and responsibilities to:

• develop the 4 SHSM pathways with credits that meet program requirements the SHSM bundle of credits
• facilitate delivery of certifications and training by:
  • selecting elective certifications that align with the program focus
  • choosing delivery agents for compulsory and elective certifications and training programs
  • negotiating and arranging payment of fees
  • coordinating transportation
  • setting timetables
• facilitate experiential learning and career exploration activities
• arrange reach ahead opportunities in each of the 4 pathways
• find sector partners that have the expertise to offer (SPEs) in at least 1 of the focus areas
• develop CLAs (if your school offers them) for use in other required credit courses
• address student transportation needs
• facilitate co-op placements
• promote the SHSM to students and partners by:
  • creating a plan and promotional materials for elementary students
  • developing marketing tools for use within your school
  • engaging sector and community partners
• build partnerships with:
  • other elementary and secondary schools
  • school boards
  • postsecondary institutions
  • training centres
  • local sector-related businesses

Use these checklists to make sure your school is ready to offer the required components of the SHSM.

1. Required bundle of credits

• All students have the opportunity to earn the 8 to 10 credits they need for their SHSM over a 2-year period, in Grades 11 and 12.
• Required courses are developed and available for all 4 SHSM pathways offered by your school.
• If your SHSM includes CLAs in other required credits, staff are ready to integrate them into instruction.
• Members of your school SHSM team collaborate with co-op teachers to organize placements for students in the program.

2. Sector-recognized certification and training experiences

One or more members of your school SHSM team are responsible for this component. They:

• have a plan to ensure students can obtain required certifications and training within 2 years
• collaborated with your school board and other Ontario schools offering SHSM programs in the same sector
• have a procedure to document and track students' completion of certifications and training
• have informed teachers and school staff about documentation and tracking procedures

3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities

One or more school SHSM team members are responsible for this component. They:

• have a plan to ensure tracking and documentation of these activities
• collaborate with the co-op teacher to plan activities
• receive support from SHSM sector advisors, the school board and other schools offering SHSM programs in the same sector
• have informed students and school staff about documentation procedures

4. Reach ahead experiences

One or more school SHSM team members are responsible for this component. They:

• have a plan to ensure tracking and documentation of these experiences
• facilitate opportunities by consulting with:
  • SHSM sector advisors and partners
  • representatives from colleges, training centres and universities
  • your school board
  • other Ontario schools offering SHSMs in the same sector

5. Sector-Partnered Experiences (SPEs)

One or more school SHSM team members are responsible for this component. They:

• have a plan to ensure tracking and documentation of these experiences
• consult with local schools to:
  • coordinate SPE delivery
  • identify sector partners with relevant expertise

Your school SHSM team has:

• tools ready to collect qualitative data from staff, students, parents and community partners, to measure and report on program quality and implementation progress
• a procedure to track students' completion of the 5 components of an SHSM

One or more school SHSM team members are responsible for tracking and documenting student progress. They:

• understand the reporting requirements for the school board and the Ministry of Education
• have developed processes for:
  • monitoring student progress
  • supporting individual students
  • helping students select the courses they need to complete their SHSM
• have informed guidance counsellors:
  • what information is needed for a student to get a diploma with the SHSM seal
  • that they are responsible for confirming all SHSM requirements are met
• have ensured staff are familiar with the procedure for tracking student progress

Your school’s administrative team:

• is aware of our reporting requirements
• has set timelines for consolidating SHSM-related data (such as student and budget data)
• ensures required reports are completed accurately and on time
• knows the dates for the 3 required SHSM reports: initial, interim and final

If you are unsure of your school’s reporting dates, reach out to the SHSM contact at your school board.