April 8th, 2022

Cameron Heights – Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) – Parent/Guardian Communication

On Thursday, May 5th, all eligible and identified grade 10, non IB grade 11 and non-graduating grade 12 students will participate in writing the OSSLT to fulfill their Literacy Graduation Requirement. As an alternative for some grade 11 and 12 students, the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) may also be an option to fulfill this requirement. As well, identified students may participate in an adjudication process in lieu of the online assessment.. 

What is the OSSLT?

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test is a single event allowing students to earn their literacy requirement.  

Students will complete the assessment in two sessions (Session A and Session B). Each session is designed to be completed in 60 minutes, and students will complete one session per sitting. Additional time can be provided for any students who require that accommodation. After completing both sessions, students will be presented with a questionnaire, asking them about their experiences, attitudes and perceptions with respect to literacy. 

RESULTS will be released after the open-response questions have been scored. An Individual Student Report will be generated for each student after the scoring of the assessment. Results will be communicated sometime during the summer.

The test consists of two parts:

Session A/Part 1 focuses on reading, and has three reading passages. Students complete a series of multiple choice questions and open-response questions about the content they have read. 

Session B/Part  2 focuses on reading comprehension, and writing skills.  Students read 2 passages and complete a series of multiple choice questions. Students will also write a series of paragraphs supporting their opinion on a topic about which they have read. 

Who Attends School on the Asynchronous, Blended Learning Day? 

  • Primarily, only OSSLT test writers will need to attend school on May 5th.
  • A study hall area will be open to other students who chose to attend that day.

How will the test be administered?

The test is entirely online this year. Students MUST use their board provided chromebooks to write the OSSLT. The test has many features to support students including: 

  • A help menu  
  • A text-speech function that reads the text on the screen out loud  
  • Zoom in and zoom out  
  • A line reader that helps students focus on one line of text at a time 
  • A high-contrast view, and annotation tools 
  • A tool for rough notes

All students will also have access to virtual breathing exercises, reminders of test taking strategies and other minds-on activities to help them as they take the modernized OSSLT.

Students in need of a Chromebook should reach out to their Vice Prinicipal immediately. 

Students MUST write this test under the supervision of a teacher or other staff member. Tests will either be administered in a student’s HOMEROOM/First-Period Class or in another specified location. 

  • Each online OSSLT session is a minimum of 60 minutes plus onboarding, surveys, and extra time.
  • Both Session 1 and Session 2 occur on the same day.
  • Both Session 1 and Session 2 are the same group of students. The teacher assigned manages when a student completes a session and begins the next.
    • Session A runs form 8:15 AM to 9:30 AM 
    • Break: 9:30 AM to 9:45 AM
    • Session B: 9:45 AM to 11:00 AM 

A special timetable is required to accommodate the need for one student grouping and writing times for a session that runs beyond 75 minutes.

Students requiring extra time will be relocated to accommodate the need. 

For students not writing the OSSLT?

  • Teachers will post Asynchronous materials for all non-participating students who may choose to remain at home on May 5th.
  • ACE students will attend their regular programs.

How can I help my student prepare for the OSSLT?

Before the Test

  • Encourage your child/student to participate in any preparation offered by the school (additional resources will be provided directly to students).
  • Encourage the student to review the format and tools available by previewing the PRACTICE LITERACY TEST, available through EQAO.

The Day of the Test

  • Remind the student to be on time
  • Remind the student to eat before the test
  • Encourage your student to do their best

Graduating Grade 12s have been exempted from the literacy requirement this year, and do not have to meet the requirement. 

Secondary Remote Learning Program (SRLP) students

  • Students enrolled in the SRLP will not be writing the OSSLT this year. It is the Ministry of Education’s expectation that students who are writing the OSSLT must do so in-person.
  • Participating students enrolled in the SRLP will be invited to participate in an adjudication process on May 5th. The remote learning students will/have receive(d) direct information from their teachers, guidance counselors or remote learning administrators in the next few weeks. Please connect with these staff if you have questions or a unique concern about your student. 

For more information about EQAO and to view the full practice test, you are encouraged to visit EQAO’s website www.eqao.com. Students should also connect with their assigned Guidance Counselors, should they have any information regarding the test.

Sincerely, 

Adrian Blair

Vice Principal