1. Strathroy District Collegiate Institute
--Test day is March 27, 2014--

2. Questions along the way?
• Each class please sign is to
https://todaysmeet.com/SDCIFEB25
• Use your teacher’s name i.e. Mr. Woodburn

3. Diagnostic

4. On a mobile device
1 device per class
Go to Pollev.com
or
Text 37607
(that’s the number you send the text to)

7. Overall average of all SDCI results = 51.3%
Mark range was from 0% to 100%

8. Yes, so what??
T
l
nica
ech
s
ultie
c
diffi
Just
for fu
n
Just multiple choice
Did
n’t
tak
e it
ser
iou
sly
Didn’t answer some questions
Etc
Etc
Well…
– Preparing for OSSLT
– Gr 9 SDCI Sept 2013 diagnostic
– Average was 58.65%
Etc

10. • 48% of OSSLT is multiple choice
• Successful 2nd time at SDCI vs 1st
• We are not good at multiple choice
• Gr 9’s Sept 2013 = 58.65%
• Gr 10’s Feb 2014 = 51.3%

11. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What is on the test?
How long is the test?
What happens if you fail the test?
Why can’t they just use our English
marks?
What is an OSSD?
Who can help me prepare?
When will I get my results?
What snacks are provided?

12. 1. What is on the test?
• Reading
• Writing

13. Types of Reading Questions
Format
 Multiple Choice
 Open Response
Type
 Directly stated in the reading selection (explicit)
 Indirectly stated in the reading selection (implicit)
 Making connections between personal knowledge &
experience and ideas and information in the reading
selection

14. Types of Reading Selections
Informational Materials
 such as explanations and instructions
Literacy materials
 such as stories, descriptions, and dialogues
Graphic Materials
 such as schedules, graphs and tables
Length varies from
1 paragraph to 2 pages

15. Types of Writing Tasks
Long-Writing Tasks
 news report based on a picture and a headline (one page)
 series of paragraphs expressing an opinion on a given topic (two
pages)
Short-Writing Tasks
 opportunity to use your knowledge and personal experience while
demonstrating your writing skills
Multiple-Choice Questions
opportunity to demonstrate the three writing skills

16. Three Writing Skills
Writing Questions
Test has short- and long-writing tasks, and multiple-choice questions,
that focus on 3 writing skills required in school and daily life:
 Development of a main idea with supporting details
 Organize information and ideas in a coherent manner
 Use conventions (syntax, spelling, grammar and punctuation) in a
manner that does not distract from clear communication

17. 2. How long is the test?
The entire test will take 2 ½
hours including instructions
and a nutrition break.
•2 booklets
•Two 75 minute sessions
•Period 1 = 1st booklet
•20 minute nutrition break
•Period 2 = 2nd booklet +
questionnaire

18. 3. What Happens If I Fail the OSSLT?
• If you fail the test in
Grade 10, you may
retake it in Grade 11.
• The Ontario
Secondary School
Literacy Course
(OSSLC), an OSSLT
equivalent, is offered
in Grade 12 to some
students.

19. 4. Why can’t they just use our
English marks?
• Standardized assessment
• Have you acquired the reading
and writing skills that you are
expected to have learned by
the end of Grade 9?
• These skills are basis for
learning in ALL subjects areas
throughout both elementary
and secondary school.

20. 5. What is an OSSD?

21. 6. Who can help me prepare?
•
•
•
•
•
In-Class Literacy (on-going)
Gr. 10 OSSLT Presentation (Feb. 25)
Remediation for At-Risk Students (on-going)
OSSLT Practice Booklet (Tuesday, March 4)
OSSLT Practice Test (Thursday, March 20)

22. 7. When Will I Get My Results?
• June 2014

23. Where Can I Find More Information?
• You can find
more information
at the Education
Quality and
Accountability
Office site (
www.eqao.com)

25. • Follow the directions completely (if it says to
write 3 paragraphs don’t write 4 in hope of
doing better)
• Don’t leave any questions blank
• Bring a pen & a pencil to write with
• Don’t book any appointments on March 27
• Make sure to have a good breakfast

26. Good Luck!