EQAO/OSSLT Information

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) - Semester 2 2025

Follow this link to read the OSSLT Parent Letter 1 - Spring 2025

Follow this link to read the OSSLT Parent Letter 2 - Spring 2025

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. The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) is employing a computer-based online OSSLT to eligible students across the province. The assessment must be completed in person at the student’s school on a school board owned device.

Some specific details about the schedule are below:

Students in Mrs. Broe’s ENG2D15JJ2 class will be writing March 25-26 in their classroom

Students in Ms. Collins ENG2L9-01 class with be writing March 25-26 in their classroom

Students in Ms. Lascos’ ENG2D1-03  class with be writing April 8-9 in their classroom

Students in Ms. Merwart’s ENG2D1-05 class will be writing April 1-2 in their classroom

Students in Ms. Irvine’s ENG2D1-06 class  will be writing April 1-2 in their classroom

Students in Ms. Bristow’s ENG2D1-09 class will be writing April 10-11 in their classroom

Grade 10 students who completed Grade 10 English in Summer School, as well as grade 10, 11, 12, 12+  previously eligible writers will be invited to write in one sitting on April 11th in the library. This is scheduled for 8:30 am. 

A practice assessment for Grade 10 students will take place in Grade 10 English classes in advance of the assessment dates.

**Absence policy: Given this is a graduation requirement it must be the priority over and above other potential commitments on the assigned date. Should a student miss the writing of the OSSLT, another opportunity to write the assessment will not likely be possible until the 2025/2026 school year. 

Accommodations:

Every student will be provided the following accommodations if required:

• Quiet room to write and preferential seating

• 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):

• Scribing 

• 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 in the assigned space) 

Please contact Kevin Dellio and/or Barbara Ball before March 7  if your student requires any of the accommodations above.

Mr. Kevin Dellio (delliok@hdsb.ca) 

Mrs. Barbara Ball (ballb@hdsb.ca)

Below is a list of resources for students to access in preparation for the OSSLT:

Literacy Lessons

OSSLT Practice Test

Student Tips Sheet

Slideshow-Preparing and Supporting Students for the OSSLT

OSSLT Framework

Best Regards, 

Ms. Williams Ms. Dailey

Department Head of English Vice Principal
williamsch@hdsb.ca daileya@hdsb.ca 

EQAO Grade 9 Assessment in Mathematics

Students currently enrolled in a Semester 2 MTH1W1 Math class will be writing the 2-Part EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) Assessment in Mathematics in June 2025 during their regularly scheduled Math class (Part 1) and during their final evaluation block (Part 2).  Students are aware of this plan and are expected to be present for both parts of the evaluation.

This assessment will be counted as a portion (10%) of each student's Final 30% course evaluation. 

This school year the final mark determination of the Grade 9 Mathematics courses will be based on a 10% EQAO assessment, 20% summative task and 70% course work throughout the semester. 

Accommodations will be provided based on individual student needs (as per the IEP and/or regularly-accessed accommodations throughout the school year). 

Please contact your student’s SERT if your student requires any of the following accommodations:

• Alternate test writing space (rather than writing with their teachers in a quiet space) 

If you have any questions, concerns or requests related to Special Education needs, please contact your student’s SERT: Kevin Dellio delliok@hdsb.ca, Barb Ball ballb@hdsb.ca, Laurie Kett kettl@hdsb.ca

We look forward to the successful completion of your student’s Grade 9 Math experience.

Questions? Contact Mrs. MacLean - VP at macleant@hdsb.ca

General Administration Dates 2024–2025 School Year

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)
Fall 2024 - Tuesday, November 5, 2024 to Tuesday, December 3, 2024, with individual student results reported on or by the end of January 2025.
Spring 2025 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025 to Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with individual student results reported on or by the end of May 2025.

Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
Winter 2025 - Wednesday, January 8, 2025 to Friday, January 31, 2025, with individual student results reported after each student has completed the assessment.
Spring 2025 - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, with individual student results reported after each student has completed the assessment.