All grade 10 students will write the OSSLT on

 in order to prepare for next year's test!

NEW! OSSLT Information Letter for Parents

What is being offered at Cardinal Leger, to help students prepare for the OSSLT?

 * After-School Literacy Classes are being offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, afterschool. This is available to all grade 9, 10 , as well as students who were not successful on previous Literacy Tests. This is an opportunity for students to be placed in a small class with a teacher, who will teach the class about test content, instructions for completing the test and tips for doing well.  Classes begin Tuesday February 23 - April 1, 2010.  All students must complete a registration package on the first day of classes.

* Parent Information Sessions are being offered on Tuesday March 23 and/or Thursday March 25 from 6:00-7:30pm.  You must pre-register by calling Ms. Biagi at extension 62246.

* Lit-Blitz: This event is an opportunity for teachers to implement specific strategies in their lessons to address the concerns that Leger students have had on previous Literacy Tests. Each month, teachers will be given two new strategies to try with their classes.

* "Don't Panic!": One period of grade 10 classes will concentrate on a targeted activity geared towards the skills necessary for the OSSLT. Each grade 10 student will receive an exercise book entitled "Don't Panic," which contains exercises and tips on how to compete the OSSLT.

Do I have to write the OSSLT? If you entered Grade 9 in September 2000 or later and are working toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), you must write the OSSLT. This applies to all students in publicly funded schools, private schools, overseas schools, correctional facilities and Section 23 programs.

Why do I need to write the OSSLT? You need to be sure that you have the reading and writing skills you should have acquired by the end of Grade 9, as outlined in The Ontario Curriculum. These skills are the basis for learning in all subject areas throughout both elementary and secondary school. Successful completion of the OSSLT meets one of the 32 requirements for the OSSD.

Why am I writing the OSSLT in Grade 10 instead of closer to graduation? Writing now gives you time to get help if you need to improve your reading and writing skills. If you do not pass the OSSLT this year, you will haveopportunities to retake it in future years.

Will the OSSLT count toward my course marks? No. Successful completion of the OSSLT is one of the 32 requirements for the OSSD. The test will not count toward your course marks.

Will universities and colleges see my OSSLT results? Your secondary school transcript will indicate that you have completed the OSSLT as one of the 32 requirements for the OSSD.

Is the OSSLT difficult to pass? The OSSLT is based on the reading and writing skills that you have learned up until the end of Grade 9.