Literacy

 

As stated in the Ministry of Education’s Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements, 2011, secondary school students are required to successfully complete the literacy requirement before graduation with a Secondary School Diploma.

 

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects up to the end of Grade 9. All students across the province write this test on the same date. Grade 10 students and senior students who have not met their literacy requirement will write the test on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

 

The OSSLT is a standards-based assessment comprised of 2 booklets that include several short reading articles (informational, graphic texts and dialogue) as well as a number of written responses such as multiple-choice questions, short answer responses, a news report and a series of paragraphs stating an opinion. The test time allotted is 75 minutes* for each booklet with a 15 minute break between booklets. The lunch period is adjusted to permit test writers to complete the test in the allotted time. Students are expected to follow an adjusted timetable for the day.

 

To help prepare students for the OSSLT we offer diagnostic assessments and a practice literacy test. These diagnostic tools are marked by teachers who provide valuable feedback and opportunities for students to receive additional support and practice.

 

Students can greatly enhance their chances of success on the OSST by maintaining good attendance, completing all assignments, reading on a daily basis, taking advantage of opportunities to improve their literacy skills, applying teacher feedback and attending in-school workshops.

 

Students and parents can access additional information and practice materials from the EQAO website: www.eqao.com

 

 

OSSLT Administration Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2020