Online Learning Graduation Requirement & Opt-Out Policy

1. Policy Overview

In accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Education's Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 167, students are required to earn a minimum of two online learning credits to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This requirement applies to all students who entered Grade 9 in the 2020-2021 school year or later.

The Ministry defines online learning courses as Grades 9 to 12 credit courses that are delivered entirely using the internet and do not require students to be physically present with one another or with their educator. The purpose of this requirement is to support students in developing digital literacy and transferable skills that will prepare them for future success.

2. Fulfillment at Am-Can Business & Tech Institute

Because Am-Can Business & Tech Institute specializes in flexible, e-LMS online education, our standard credit courses naturally meet the Ministry's definition of online learning.

• Any student who completes two or more asynchronous online courses through our techstudy.ca portal will automatically fulfill this provincial graduation requirement.

• Note for COVID-19 Cohorts: In recognition of pandemic disruptions, students who were in Grade 9 during the province-wide school closures (from April 2021 to June 2021) may count up to one successfully completed secondary school credit from that period toward this requirement.

3. The Opt-Out Process

The Ministry of Education recognizes that online learning may not be suitable for every student's learning profile. Therefore, a student may be opted out of this graduation requirement for any reason. Opting out does not prevent a student from continuing to take online courses at Am-Can Business & Tech Institute; it simply removes the mandatory requirement to graduate with an OSSD.

Who Can Opt Out?

The following individuals have the authority to opt a student out of the online learning graduation requirement:

• A parent or guardian of the student.

• A student who is 18 years of age or older.

• A student who is 16 or 17 years of age and has withdrawn from parental control.

How to Opt Out:

1. Complete the Form: The authorized individual must complete and sign the Am-Can Online Learning Opt-Out Form, which is available digitally upon request from the Admissions Office.

2. Submit to the School: The completed form must be submitted to the administration desk or emailed directly to the Office of the Principal.

3. Opting Back In: If a student or parent changes their mind, they may choose to opt back into the e-Learning graduation requirement at any time before graduation.

4. Record Keeping and Transcripts

• Ontario Student Record (OSR): Once an opt-out form is received and acknowledged by the Principal, it will be permanently filed in the student’s Ontario Student Record (OSR).

• Transcripts: Once the form has been included in the student's Ontario Student Record, the graduation requirement will no longer apply to the student. The school holding the student's OSR will ensure this is indicated on both the Ontario Student Transcript (OST) and the student's provincial report card. This will be officially recorded on the transcript as “Online Learning Graduation Requirement - Non-Applicable”.