May 3rd, 2022

Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test – Spring Session

To receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, students need to complete the graduation literacy requirement.  Most often, this requirement is met by writing the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT).  For the 2021-22 school year, Grade 10 students will have the opportunity to write this test on Thursday, May 5th.  

In order to create a positive environment that will optimize the conditions for successful completion of the OSSLT, the instructional school day for all students has been modified and will be a Blended Learning Day (i.e., there are no regularly scheduled classes on May 5).  Grade 10 students who are writing the OSSLT will attend in-person.  Students who are not writing the OSSLT will learn asynchronously from home.  Students in our ACE classrooms will attend in-person.  Buses will run at their regular arrival and departure times.  Please see the daily schedule for May 5th.  

 

What if my student is graduating this year?

Graduating students are exempt from the literacy graduation requirement.

 

What if my student is not graduating or in Grade 11?

Non-graduating Grade 12s and Grade 11 students had an opportunity to write the OSSLT in November, and may students were successful.  Students who were not successful in the fall session of the OSSLT will proceed to an adjudication process, may take the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC), or may write the OSSLT next school year.  If you have questions about the status of your child’s literacy graduation requirement, please contact our guidance department.

 

What is the OSSLT? 

The OSSLT consists of two parts: 

  • Session A focuses on reading comprehension. Students will:
    • read three separate passages
    • complete a series of multiple-choice questions about the content they have read in each
    • write a short response to an open-response question
  • Session B focuses on reading comprehension and writing skills. Students will:
    • read two passages and complete a series of multiple-choice questions about them
    • answer a set of questions about grammar
    • write a series of paragraphs supporting their opinion on an assigned topic

How will the test be administered? 

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

  • a help menu 
  • a text-to-speech function that reads the text on the screen out loud 
  • a zoom-in and zoom-out function to permit larger font sizes
  • a line reader that helps students focus on one line of text at a time 
  • a high-contrast view 
  • annotation tools 
  • a tool for rough notes 
  • an option to split the screen so students can see both the questions and the passage at the same time

How can students prepare for the OSSLT on May 5th?

Grade 10 students had an opportunity to write a Practice Test at school on April 28.  Students may choose to use the practice test on the EQAO website as well.  Students have also been provided with the GPSS Student Guide.

If you have further questions, please contact the main office at (519) 621-9510.