March 18th, 2025
On BOTH Tuesday April 8th and Wednesday April 9th all of our Grade 10 students as well as any Grade 11 or 12 student who was previously eligible, but has not yet written the test or who has not yet been successful, will be writing the Ontario Secondary Schools Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students must successfully complete this literacy requirement for the granting of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This test will be administered and completed online.
PLEASE NOTE: All sessions of the OSSLT will be a regular school day, with a regular schedule for all students.
Key Dates to Note:
Tuesday March 25th: All grade 10 classes will be running through preparation resources in period B.
Wednesday March 26th: All grade 10 classes will be running through a practice literacy test in period A.
Tuesday April 1st: Optional extra help session for booklet 1 during period B, in the Library
Wednesday April 2nd: Optional extra help session for booklet 2 during period B, in the Library
Tuesday April 8th: Test Booklet 1 during A block in Homerooms
Wednesday April 9th: Test Booklet 2 during A block in Homerooms
Booklet 1 is designed to take 60 mins, but students may take up to 120 mins to complete it. Booklet 2 is designed to take 75 mins, but students may take up to 150 mins to complete it.
Students writing the test are encouraged to explore practice materials found on the OSSLT Website or access our information and tips slide deck, posted on the PHS main site under the “OSSLT Preparation Materials.” If your student has any questions or concerns regarding the literacy test they should see their Guidance Counselor, Special Education Resource Teacher or their Vice Principal.
How can I help my student prepare for the OSSLT?
Before the Test
• Encourage your student to be present on March 25th and 26th and to participate in the preparation sessions offered in class. You can also encourage them to consider participating in the extra help session offered by the school.
• Encourage your student to view the information video and go through our preparation slideshow HERE
• Encourage your student to review the format and tools available by previewing the practice test HERE.
• Students eligible for special accommodations have already been contacted by the Special Education Department. If your student has additional questions, or has not been in contact with a staff from the department, please encourage them to reach out to Preston’s Special Education Department.
• If your student has any questions, or requires any support please do not hesitate to reach out to their guidance counsellor, Ms. Knarr in Special Education or their Vice-principal.
The Day of the Test
• Remind your student to be on time. (The test will begin promptly at 8:10 on both booklet writing days).
• Remind your student to eat breakfast before the test.
• Ensure your student has a fully charged and working WRDSB Chromebook.
• Encourage your student to take the full amount of alloted time. The booklets are designed to take 60 or 75 minutes, but students are allowed to use up to double time on both days to complete each booklet.
• Encourage students to reread and check their work.
• Some students may want to bring a mouse or headphones in order to access the text to speech capabilities.
• Encourage your student to do their best!
Parents and students interested in learning more about the OSSLT are invited to visit the EQAO website at https://www.eqao.com/the-assessments/osslt/. If you have any further questions please contact your Guidance counselor or Vice Principal.
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