EQAO/OSSLT Information
EQAO assesses how well Ontario’s public education system is developing students’ reading, writing and math skills. EQAO provides reliable and useful information that is used to help improve student achievement and ensure the accountability of school boards.
Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test - 2021/2022
Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a graduation requirement for all high school students in Ontario. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects.
As outlined in our previous letter home (below), Grade 10 classes as well as eligible grade 11 and 12 students will begin to complete the OSSLT in the first week of April in their period 1 class.
Please see below for an outline of the dates/classes on the schedule.
Check with your student for more details, and as always, please refer back to our webpage for resources, support and updates.
Below is a list of resources for students to access in preparation for the test:
Slideshow-Preparing and Supporting Students for the OSSLT
For further inquiries please contact Christina Williams, Literacy Lead at williamsch@hdsb.ca or Andrea Dailey, Vice-Principal at daileya@hdsb.ca.
Message sent March 4, 2022:
Accommodations for OSSLT
This memo is intended for families of students who are intending to write the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) in April 2022. This includes most students in grade 10, students in grade 11 who are eligible to write and have not yet been successful and grade 12 students who still require the literacy component for graduation and are not going to graduate in June 2022.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) will be administered during the month of April 2022.
Every student will be provided the following accommodations:
Extra time
Attention prompts
Frequent breaks
Text-to-speech and assistive tools for the text
The following accommodations will be provided based on individual student needs (as per the IEP and regularly-accessed accommodations throughout the school year). Please contact your student’s SERT by March 11, 2022 if your student requires any of the accommodations below:
Google Read & Write (text to speech and speech to text)
Specialized assessment formats (e.g. braille, larger font, etc.)
Alternate test writing space (rather than their period 1 classroom)
If you have any questions, concerns or requests, please contact your student’s SERT:
Kevin Dellio delliok@hdsb.ca
Barb Ball ballb@hdsb.ca
Laurie Kett kettl@hdsb.ca
Graham Park parkg@hdsb.ca
Sincerely,
Kevin Dellio
Program Leader, Special Education
Message sent January 2022:
Re: Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and After School Help Sessions
Dear Parent/Guardian of Grade 10 Student / Eligible OSSLT Student:
Successful completion of the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a graduation requirement for all high school students in Ontario. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) measures whether students are meeting the minimum standard for literacy across all subjects. This year, the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is employing a computer-based online OSSLT to eligible students across the province. Successful completion of the OSSLT is one of the requirements to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (a requirement for graduation). The assessment must be completed in person at the student’s school.
Students in grade 10 are currently eligible to complete the OSSLT. Eligible senior students (grade 11/12) will write the Literacy Test during our Spring session as well. This includes students who may not have been successful in the Fall 2021 OSSLT assessment (The Ministry has not yet shared this data with schools). Please note that senior students not planning to graduate in June 2022 will be contacted to schedule an opportunity to participate in the writing of the OSSLT.
Students will be writing the test during the morning (period 1 and/or 2) in April 2022. Once we have a specific schedule we will share this with students. Students will complete the assessment in two sessions (Session A and Session B). Each session is designed to be completed in 60 minutes. Additional time can be provided for any students who require it.
Students have the opportunity to become familiar with the online test and its platform through EQAO’s online practice test. For more information about EQAO and to view the full practice test, you are encouraged to visit EQAO’s website www.eqao.com. There will be an opportunity in class for students to become familiar with the actual look and feel of the test, including learning how to use the helpful tools that are now available. Students may also have the opportunity to complete the HDSB practice test during the second week of semester two. Students with an IEP will be offered accommodations consistent with their IEP. This letter will come out shortly to those families.
Nelson High School will be offering additional support for students to help prepare for the OSSLT through teacher-led after-school sessions virtually. Offering these sessions has greatly benefitted students in preparation for the literacy test in the past. These sessions will run from 3:00pm - 4:00pm (Tuesdays and Thursdays), starting on February 22, 2022 to March 31, 2022. Each session will focus on a different skill necessary to prepare for the literacy test. Students will have opportunities to practice and gain confidence through this opportunity.
If your student wishes to participate in the sessions, please fill out the Google form LINKED HERE by February 10th, 2022 to indicate that you would like them enrolled in the literacy test preparation sessions. Attendance will be taken at these sessions and students are requested to attend all sessions.
Much more information to come in February and March.
Best Regards,
Ms. Williams Ms. Dailey
Department Head of English Vice Principal
williamsch@hdsb.ca daileya@hdsb.ca