Title: Navigating the Road to High School and Beyond
1Navigating the Road to High School and Beyond
- La Salle Secondary School
2Grades 9 and 10 The Road to the Future
3Compulsory and Optional Creditsand High School
Diploma Requirements
- Students are required to earn 18 compulsory
credits in core subject areas. - Students are required to earn an additional 12
optional credits in courses of their choice. - Students are required to complete the Grade 10
Ontario Secondary School Literacy achievement
requirements either by test (OSSLT) or course
(OSSLC). - Students are required to complete 40 hours of
unpaid community involvement activities
4Compulsory Credits
- 4 English (1 per grade)
- 1 French
- 3 Math (1 in grade 11/12)
- 2 Science
- 1 Canadian History
- 1 Canadian Geography
- 1 Health and Physical Education
- ½ Civics
- ½ Career Studies
- 1 in either of English, a third language, Social
Science, or Canadian and World Studies - 1 in either Health and Physical Education,
Business Studies or Arts - 1 in either Grade 11/12 Science or Grade 9-12
Technological Education
5Optional Credits
- 12 optional credits allow students to build an
educational program that suite their intended
post-secondary pathway university, college,
apprenticeship, further training or the workplace -
6Different Types of Grade 9 10 Courses
- Open courses are in disciplines such as the arts,
physical education and business studies. In these
disciplines, all students take the same type of
course, hence, the term open. - In core subjects, such as math, English and
science, students have a choice of locally
developed, applied or academic courses. - In core subjects, such as geography, history and
French, students have a choice of applied or
academic courses.
7What courses does a typical grade 9 student take?
- Compulsory Credits
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Geography
- French
- Healthy and Active Living (Phys. Ed.)
- Optional Credits
- Any two from
- Arts
- Business
- Technology
8Locally Developed Courses
- In English, the emphasis is on literacy and
communication skills. Students develop reading,
writing, listening, presenting and thinking
skills. - In math, there is a focus on knowledge and
problem solving skill development. Students are
prepared for success in everyday. - In science, the emphasis is on scientific
enquiry and critical thinking. Students study the
relationship between, science, society and the
environment.
9Applied Courses
- Cover the essential concepts of a subject.
- Focus on practical applications and real world
examples. - Offer more opportunities to experience hand-on
learning.
10Academic Courses
- Cover the essential concepts of a subject and
explore related materials. - Draw heavily on theory and abstract examples and
problems. - Emphasize theory over practical applications.
- Offer more opportunities for abstract thinking
and problem solving.
11Understanding Course Codes
- ENG denotes the subject, in this case English.
- 1 denotes the grade level, in this case grade 9
2 for grade 10. - L denotes the type of course L for locally
developed, P for applied, D for academic and O
for open. - 0 is a place holder for special designations for
example in disciplines such as physical education
there may be an F denoting a female class and an
M denoting a male class.
12The difference between core and elective courses
- In grade 9, all students take 6 core or
compulsory courses in English, mathematics,
French, geography, science and healthy active
living (Phys. Ed.). - Students then choose 2 elective or optional
courses in subject areas such as dramatic arts,
music, visual arts, introduction to business,
information technology, graphic design,
communication technology, computers,
transportation technology, construction
technology and manufacturing technology.
13Prerequisites
- Some courses in grades 11 and 12 require that the
students take prerequisite courses. - It is important when students choose courses in
grades 10 and 11 that they examine the school
course calendar carefully and select courses that
will allow them to pursue the courses that they
want to take in higher grades. - The school guidance counsellor is one of the
students best allies in making these types of
decisions.
14The semester school calendar
- Students take 4 courses each semester or half
year. - Students generally take 8 courses each school
year. - First semester runs from September to January.
- Second semester runs from February to June.
- Students receive 6 reports each year two early
reports, two mid-term report cards and two final
report cards for each semester.
15MSIP and SuccessStudents and the Multi-Subject
Instructional Period
- more access to teacher assistance
- more access to peer support across all grade
levels - more access to the library as a resource
- more access to the computer lab
- easier access to students services and guidance
- more access to special programs that support
learning
16How Teachers Use MSIP
- Help students on a one-to-one basis.
- Model literacy and positive work habit skills.
- Extra support from another teacher in getting
those missing assignments in. - If a student misses a test, they can write the
test in MSIP rather than missing more class time. - Less disruption during class time e.g. for
extra tutoring in another subject, for guidance
appointments, for specialized workshops, etc.
17The New World of Work Current Realities of
the 21st Century
- Increased demand for technological literacy
skills - Decreased demand for unskilled labour
- New flexibility in the work place growing
- dependence on part-time, contract or
free-lance - work v.s. life-long employment
- Increase in self-employment
- Life-long career is being replaced by 6-8
different - careers during ones working life
- Commitment to life-long learning a requirement of
- most employment
18Our goal is to move this last 24 into the other
three categories.
19Beginning to look at program pathways
- Teens should explore different courses and
experiences during high school. - Its better for students to try a variety of
courses now and avoid costly mistakes later in
their post-secondary destination. - Career Studies in grade 10 is an excellent
opportunity for students to map out their
personal goals in education, work and the
community. - Each students program pathway will be unique and
designed to help them develop toward their
post-secondary destination, whether it be the
workplace, apprenticeship, college or university.
20Pathway Planning
Important to know
- How you learn best
- Diploma requirements to graduate
- Prerequisites for courses
- How to plan for experiential learning
opportunities - Admission requirements for post-secondary
opportunities - Preparing for school-work
21Helping grade 8 students decide which type of
course is best for them
- Discuss options with their grade 8 teachers.
- Make an appointment with a guidance counsellor at
La Salle. - Help them investigate opportunities that match
their interests, abilities and passions. - Whenever you are unsure, seek help and ask
questions.
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23Grades 11 and 12 Looking Ahead
24A New Set of Course Descriptions
- In grades 11 and 12, students choose between,
workplace, college, university/college,
university courses and open courses.
25The Destinations
- Students in Ontario have many options for post
secondary training. - They can choose from 28 colleges, 19
universities, hundreds of private career colleges
and over 100 apprenticeship opportunities.
26Understanding a New Set of Course Codes
- MEL denotes the subject, in this case
mathematics. - 3 denotes the grade level, in this case grade 11
4 for grade 12. - E denotes the post-secondary destination E for
workplace, M for university/college, C for
college, and U for university. - Open or O courses also still exist.
27Workplace Courses
- Prepare student to move directly into
apprenticeship, training programs or the
workplace. - Focus on employment skills and practical
workplace applications. - May involve cooperative education and work
experience.
28The Workplace Pathway
Remember we are all going to work but we enter
the workforce at different times in our lives!
- There are many viable entry-level job
opportunities for students who have completed
their OSSD and have workplace experiences.
Students who are fast-tracking into the
workforce/community directly after high school
should - work with guidance, community-based education,
subject teachers, employment centres to create a
personal portfolio (resume, cover letters,
letters of reference, successes, etc.) to present
to prospective employers, and, - be aware that cooperative education is an
important component of workplace preparation.
29College Courses
- Prepare students to have the skills and knowledge
to meet the entrance requirements for college
programs. - Focus on practical applications while also
examining underlying theories.
30The College Pathway
- Community college programs provide a valuable
combination of academic and practical/technical
skills training for a specific career. - There are almost 600 programs to choose from at
Ontarios community colleges, including Business
Administration, Biomedical Technology, Computer
Animation, Engineering Technology, Paramedic,
and Social Worker.
31University/College Courses
- Prepare student to meet entrance requirements of
specific university and college programs. - Focus on both theory and practical applications.
32University ?? College
- Program links between colleges and universities
are increasing dramatically by offering - Joint programs that will provide students with
both the theoretical and practical skills
required for their career and earn them a degree
and a diploma in four years. - Multiple opportunities for transfer between
colleges and universities exist.
33University Courses
- Prepare students with the knowledge and skills
needed to meet university entrance requirements. - Focus on theoretical aspects of subjects and
related real world applications.
34The University Pathway
- University programs provide theoretical academic
training. - In general, there are 5 main types of programs at
most universities - Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences
- Life/Health Sciences
- Physical/Engineering Sciences
- Business/Commerce
- Professional programs
35Career Education in Grade 11 12
- Students can opt to take a Peer Support course
which will give them leadership skills. This is
especially helpful for students who want to
pursue careers that require management skills.
Students work as classroom tutors or literacy
tutors and receive a grade 11 credit. - Student can choose co-operative education for up
to two of their optional choices. Students
investigate real-world work applications linked
to a chosen subject area. Students can virtually
work in any business that is in a position to
host a student. This provides the student to try
on a career before making costly decisions about
their post-secondary pathway.
36What if a students interests change?
- If a students interests and goals change during
the course of their four years in high school,
students are able to change pathways by taking
transfer courses. Transfer courses allow
students who are taking one type of course in
Grade 10 or 11 to switch to another type in the
same subject area in the next grade. - Many students also opt to take an additional half
year after grade 12 to fine tune their program
pathway. Often, students opt to include a co-op
option to make sure that their post-secondary
plans are appropriate to their interests.
37Focus Programs
- Concentrate on a particular field of interest or
training to provide students with both academic
and work experience that gives them a foundation
in a career or area of study.
38Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
- In Grade 11/12 some students opt to complete
their high school diploma while starting their
apprenticeship training.
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40Workplace, Apprenticeship Skilled Trades
Destination
- These high demand, highly skilled, highly
practical careers are now referred to as Gold
Collar Careerssince many of the trades have
starting salaries well above 50,000 per year. - Students and parents need to pay more attention
to this destination as a powerful means of
obtaining practical experience and skills keeping
in mind that 60 of Ontarios Grade 9 students
do not go on to complete either a college diploma
or a university degree.
41Many employment sectors have a full range of
training opportunities
Social Work
Child Youth Studies
Child Youth Worker
Child Youth Worker
Graduate degree (Masters)
University Degree (4-6 yr.)
College diploma (3 yr.)
Apprenticeship Certification (2-5 yr.)
More hands-on
More conceptual
42There is help out there
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44Where can you get help making decisions?
- Grade 8 teachers
- School information nights
- High school guidance counsellors
- High school teachers
- Our Website at http//lasalle.limestone.on.ca/
- Limestone District School Board Website at
http//www.limestone.on.ca/
45Tips for Parents
- Help your teen understand who they are and honour
their decisions - Help your teen explore a variety of careers and
extra-curricular activities - Encourage your teen to apply for a Co-op
Education Program - Help your teen develop good work habits
- Help your teen build a personal portfolio and
provide advice on money management - Recognize the importance of pathways to the
future by encouraging your teen to - Consider long-range planning options
- Research job opportunities
- Set aside time for reflection and discussion
46Special Education
- A student who participates in special education
programs and services in Grade 8 can continue to
do so in high school. An Individual Education
Plan (IEP) will be developed and maintained based
on assessments of the students strengths, needs
and interests.
47Opening Doors
- When our children choose courses for secondary
school it is important that they do some honest
self -assessment, matching their ability with
their interests and aptitudes. - When we choose courses based on a concern about
closing doors, we are suggesting that the door
locks behind us. Initial decisions made in grade
8 are not final decisions. There are many
pathways to the destination we dream of!
48Up-coming Dates
- School visits at the end of January
- Grade 8 Information Night February 15th