18 Compulsory Credits

*4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
*1 credit in French ( Students with learning disabilities or learning difficulties may be exempted)
*3 credits in math (at least one credit in Grade 11 or 12)
*2 credits in science
*1 credit in Canadian history
*1 credit in Canadian geography
*1 credit in the arts
*1 credit in health and physical education
*1/2 credit in civics
*1/2 credit in career studies
plus
1 additional credit in English, or a third language or social sciences and the humanities or Canadian and world studies
1 additional credit in health and physical education or the arts or business studies
1 additional credit in science (grade 11 or 12) or technological education – grades 9 to 12

Optional Credits

*students must complete a total of 12 optional credits.

Compulsory and Optional Credits must equal a minimum of 30 credits

Provincial Secondary School Literacy Test

A requirement for graduation is that all students successfully complete the Provincial Literacy Test.
Students take the literacy test in grade 10. Students who are not successful in passing the test may re-take the test in grade 11. If a student is unsuccessful at passing the test on the second attempt, they are eligible to take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy course OLC40. Students who successfully complete this course are deemed to have met the provincial literacy requirements for graduation.

Community Involvement Activities

Students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement (volunteer) activities over the course of their high school career. Community involvement is a requirement for graduation. Students at TASS will have the opportunity to volunteer in the TALC Academy elementary school program at lunch hour and earn either ½ hour or 1 hour of volunteer time per week. By doing so students will be able to complete their volunteer requirements on campus. Of course students are welcome to complete additional volunteer activities to either supplement or replace this experience.

Program Modification and Adaptations:

Exceptional students, as well as other students who are not identified as exceptional but who have an IEP and are receiving special education programs and services, should be given every opportunity to achieve the curriculum expectations set out in the provincial curriculum policy documents. For most students, the curriculum expectations for a course will be the same as or similar to the course expectations outlined int the appropriate provincial curriculum policy document, except that accommodations such as specialized supports or services will be provided to help the student achieve the expectations. Ontario Secondary Schools Grades 9 to 12 – Program and Degree Requirement 1999 (section 7.12)

Accommodations for students may include:
* teachers will provide copies of lecture/lesson notes to all students
*class readings will be provided to the students in audio format
* use of the computer or laptop computer for tests and all assignments (Students will need to have a lap top computer)
* use of voice activated software for essays
* use of calculator for math
* oral testing
* un-timed tests
* a variety of assignment types including essays, projects, tests, exams, oral presentations, public performances, drama and group work.
* an emphasis on process marks as well as final products
* extensive use of visual aids and concrete materials to enhance learning

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be created for each student. Students and parents will each receive a copy of the IEP.
Students must be aware that accommodations are designed to help them master curriculum expectations outlined by the Ministry of Education. Credits cannot be granted for the completion of a course unless curriculum expectations are achieved. If students are not able to meet these expectations, then credit for the course can not be granted.

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be created for each student. The plan will outline the range of accommodations and modifications that will be put in place in order to help each student succeed. Course readings and materials will be provided to students in audio as well as written form. Please refer the the Modification section for a list of possible program modifications.

During the grade nine year, students will take the following credits:
Academic or Applied English
Academic or Applied Math or Essential Math
Academic or Applied Science,
Academic or Applied Geography ,
Comprehensive Arts Grade Nine Open (ALC1O),
Physical Education – Healthy Active Living – Open (PPL1O)
Learning Strategies – Skills for Success in Secondary School (GLS1O/GLE1O).

This is a total of 7 credits.

Students must receive a total of 30 credits in order to graduate with a Secondary School Diploma. By taking 7 credits per year, students will not be able to complete their required number of credits within four years. Students will have several options in order to complete their studies.
The majority of students will opt to complete their high school program over 4 ½ or 5 years. For many students with learning difficulties, this is the preferred option.
Students who wish to complete their program within four years can take additional credits at summer school and/or night school. Students may also increase their course load to 8 credits in Grade 11 and 12 or obtain additional credits through independent study. Please refer to Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements booklet for additional information.

Students must complete 110 hours of study in order for a credit to be granted. Our school year is organized in a unique manner.

Each day the students have English and Math for 60 minutes. There will be between 10 and 20 days that the students are out of the building on Arts and Physical Education excursions. Our students will receive between 130 to 150 hours of English and Math instruction. This will allow the students to firmly grasp material before moving to the next topic. Since English and Math are studied for the full year, students will be able to better retain content material as compared to a semester system.

In the regular high school system, courses are often offered on a semester system. Semester One is from September to January and Semester Two is from February to June. A math credit will consist of 110 hours of instruction spread over one semester. Students who take math in Semester One in grade nine will complete their course in January. If they take math in Semester One of grade ten, they will not resume their math studies for another eight months. If they take math in Semester Two of grade ten, twelve months will have gone by since the grade nine math course. Many students with learning issues find it difficult to retain key content information over this lengthy gap in instruction in the regular high school system. TALC Academy Secondary School (TASS) addresses this potential problem by having daily Math and English programming.

At TALC Academy Secondary School, over the course of the year students will study both Geography and Science. Each subject will be presented in modules and students will only study one subject at a time. Modules will be between 10 and 13 days in length. Geography will be offered in 5 modules of 10 to 13 days. At the end of each 10 to 13 day time block or module, the students will have completed one of the required units of study from the geography curriculum. Science is offered in modules ranging from 10 to 13 days for each unit. We will alternate between science units and geography units. Students will spend 2 hours and 45 minutes of their school day studying geography or science. The geography and science instruction will be combined with the learning strategies credit. Such concentrated study will allow students to focus on one content area at a time.

Over the course of the year students will have 52 science days that include 169 hours of instruction and 55 geography days that include 178 hours of instruction. Each one of these courses also includes 55 hours of learning strategies instruction. For example, when students are instructed on how to create point form study notes as part of their learning strategies course, they will do this within the context of the science or geography program in order to help prepare for the unit test. They will be taught specific reading comprehension strategies as part of the learning strategies credit, but we will work with the curriculum material from the science and geography program. This approach allows the students to have opportunities to integrate the learning studies strategies using the geography and science concepts. Students in effect get a “double dose” of the curriculum.

Physical Education – Healthy Active Living
The physical education program – Healthy Active Living – takes place on campus and off campus. It will include visits to the local fitness centre and other activities such as skating, skiing, tennis, golf, swimming and bowling. Through weekly physical education and health activities spread over the entire year, students accumulate over 110 hours of instruction.

Comprehensive Arts
The art program integrates three or more of the arts (dance, dramatic arts, music and visual arts) and examines the similarities and differences among these subjects. Students will learn specialized arts vocabulary while investigating traditional concepts, stylistic elements, and principles unique to the various arts, as well as applications of new technologies. This course involves monthly art excursions. Some of these take place during school hours. Twenty hours of instructional time occurs in the evenings or on Saturdays through the organized arts excursions. As such these activities are required in order to successfully complete the credit. It is important to note that the school will pay for student admission into all arts exhibits and pay for transportation costs as well. In class and out of class instructional hours exceed the 110 hours of instruction mandated by the Ministry.

Learning Strategies

The learning strategies program will be integrated into the core content areas. The program is designed to teach students:

* how to make notes
* how to organize their notebook
* how to make review notes
* how to highlight
* how to set up a study schedule
* how to prepare for tests and exams
* how to write essays and reports
* how to research
* how to organize a project
* how to prepare for an oral presentation.

There are significant advantages to integrating the learning strategies course into the content areas of science and geography. By using the course content material to teach specific strategies, the students have increased opportunities to master the learning outcomes. Students will be able to be specifically instructed in the above strategies and have an opportunity to use them with their core content subjects. This leads to greater time spent mastering these core curriculum subjects. As well – specific study strategies can be taught using the material from the science and geography curriculum.

French
It is expected that students at TALC Academy Secondary School would benefit from being exempted from French. As indicated in Ontario Secondary Schools Grades 9 to 12 – Program and Degree Requirement 1999 (section 3.2) substitutions may be made for a limited number of compulsory credit courses using courses from the remaining courses offered by the school that meet the requirements for compulsory credits. Introduction to Business (BBI20) will be substituted for the French Credit. Students will take this credit in their grade 11 year.

English
Grade 9, English – (Applied) ENG1P1
This course is designed to develop the key oral communication: reading, writing, and media literacy
skills students need for success in secondary school and daily life. Students will read, interpret, and create a variety of informational, literary, and graphic texts. An important focus will be on identifying and using appropriate strategies and processes to improve students’ comprehension of texts and to help them communicate clearly and effectively. The course is intended to prepare students for the Grade 10 applied English course, which leads to college or workplace preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12.

Or

Grade 9, English – (Essential) ENG1L1
This course provides foundational literacy and communication skills to prepare students for success in their daily lives, in the workplace, and the English Grade 11 Workplace Preparation course. The course is organized by strands that develop listening and talking skills, reading and viewing skills, and writing skills. In all strands, the focus is on developing foundational literacy skills and in using language clearly and accurately in a variety of authentic contexts. Students develop strategies and put into practice the process involved in talking, listening, reading, viewing, writing, and thinking, and reflect regularly upon their growth in these areas.

Math

Grade 9, Foundations of Mathematics – (Applied) MFM1P1
This course enables students to develop understanding of mathematical concepts related to introductory algebra, proportional reasoning, and measurement and geometry through investigation, the effective use of technology, and hands-on activities. Students will investigate real-life examples to develop various representations of linear relationships, and will determine the connections between the representations. They will also explore certain relationships that emerge from the measurement of three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional shapes. Students will consolidate their mathematical skills as they solve problems and communicate their thinking.

Or

Grade 9, Foundations of Mathematics – (Essential) MAT1L1
This course emphasizes further development of mathematical knowledge and skills to prepare students for success in their everyday lives, in the workplace, in the Grade 10 LDCC course, and in the Mathematics Grade 11 and Grade 12 Workplace Preparation courses. The course is organized by three strands related to money sense, measurement, and proportional reasoning. In all strands, the focus is on developing and consolidating key foundational mathematical concepts and skills by solving authentic, everyday problems. Students have opportunities to further develop their mathematical literacy and problem-solving skills and to continue developing their skills in reading, writing, and oral language through relevant and practical math activities.

Grade 9, Science – (Essential) SNC1L1
This course emphasizes reinforcing and strengthening science-related knowledge and skills, including scientific inquiry, critical thinking and the relationship between science, society, and the environment, to prepare students for success in everyday life, in the workplace and in the Science Grade 10 Essential course. Students explore a range of topics including science in daily life, properties of common materials, life sustaining processes in simple and complex organisms, and electrical circuits. Students have the opportunity to extend mathematical and scientific process skills and to continue developing their skills in reading, writing, and oral language through relevant and practical science activities.

Grade 9, Geography of Canada (Applied) CGC1P

This course draws upon students’ everyday experiences and uses a variety of frameworks, including the ecozone framework, to help students learn about the geography of Canada and the country’s place in the global community. Students will investigate the interconnections among the country’s land forms, climates, soils, plants, animals, and human activities in order to understand Canada’s character and diversity.

Grade 9, Healthy Active Living Education (Open) PPL 1O
This course emphasizes regular participation in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that promote lifelong healthy active living. Students will learn movement skills and principles, ways to improve personal fitness and physical competence, and safety and injury prevention. They will investigate issues related to healthy sexuality and the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, and will participate in activities designed to develop goal setting, communication, and social skills. The majority of this course takes place off campus and may include, swimming, personal fitness, skiing, tennis, golf, soccer, baseball, bowling, billiards, and other sports and recreation activities.

Grade 9, Comprehensive Arts, Grade 9, Open, ALC1O
This course integrates three or more of the arts (dance, dramatic arts, music and visual arts) and examines the similarities and differences among these subjects. Students will learn specialized arts vocabulary while investigating traditional concepts, stylistic elements, and principles unique to the various arts, as well as applications of new technologies. This course involves monthly art excursions that may take place during school hours, in the evening or on Saturdays. A schedule for the year will be provided in September.

Grade 9, Learning Strategies: Skills for Success in Secondary School , Open (GLS1O/GLE1O)
This course explores learning strategies and helps students become better, more independent learners while increasing their personal management skills, both in school and in other contexts. Students will learn how to develop and apply a range of strategies to improve their learning and achievement, particularly their literacy, numeracy, communication, and planning skills. This course will increase students’ confidence, motivation, and ability to learn. This course material will be integrated into the Science and Geography curriculums throughout the year.

Academic or Applied English
Academic or Applied Math or Essential Math
Academic or Applied Science
Academic or Applied History
Civics ½ credit (CHV20)
Career Studies ½ credit (GLC20)
Physical Education – Healthy Active Living – Open (PPL2O)
Learning Strategies – Skills for Success in Secondary School (GLS2O/GLE2O)

Academic or Applied English
Academic or Applied Math or Essential Math
Academic or Applied Science
Academic or Applied History
Introduction to Business BBL20
Physical Education – Healthy Active Living – Open (PPL3O)
Learning Strategies – Skills for Success in Secondary School (GLS3O/GLE3O)

English University Preparation or English College Preparation  or English Workplace Preparation
Learning Strategies – Skills for Success in Secondary School (GLS4O/GLE4O).

The remaining 5 credits will be selected from the TALC Academy course calendar. Credits will be obtained either from courses offered by TALC Academy staff or through enrollment and supervision of specific courses through the Independent Learning Centre. One or two Co-operative Education credits are available for students in year four.

Year Five may be offered on a semester basis or a full year basis. This would allow students who complete Year Five on a semester basis to complete their secondary school studies in January. Students will select courses based on interest and College prerequisites. A one or two credit course in Co operative Education is available.

In Year Four and Five students will select courses based on interest and college prerequisites. Students will select courses from the TALC Academy Secondary School Calendar. If we do not have suffucient numbers of students to run a specific course then we will enroll the student in the Independent Learning Centre for that course. The Ministry of Education offers credits through The Independent Learning Centre. We will time table an independent study period and supervise and monitor student progress in the course.

For those students who wished to take a specific course that we do not offer, or who wished to upgrade from the applied to the academic stream, the Independent Learning Centre provides independent study courses. We would register the student in the appropriate course. The Independent Learning Centre would provide us with course materials and assignments. As part of their program at TALC Academy Secondary school the student would complete the course under our supervision. The student would have access to the teacher for additional assistance. Independent Learning Centre courses would only be available for students in year four and five.