High school students in Prince Edward Island can now earn a credit for participating in recognized learning activities in the community, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“The department is pleased to partner with the Canadian Cadet organization to offer students a high school credit as part of the new External Credentialing Program on Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Currie. “It is important to recognize that many of our students are involved in community activities that develop valuable life skills that contribute to a well-rounded educational experience.”
An external high school credit will be awarded for courses, programs or assessments that have been evaluated and that match or exceed provincial high school standards.
The purpose of the external credits is to provide greater flexibility in meeting graduation requirements by providing high school credit to students who have completed recognized courses of study outside of the public school system. The external credits will be reflected on the student’s high school transcript.
“Young people are spending a lot of time and effort participating in programs such as the Canadian Cadets and it’s great news that these types of programs are being recognized as academic credits,” said Jim Spears, president of the Prince Edward Island Army Cadet League. “Cadet programs allow young Islanders to meet people from around the world while learning important lessons involving leadership, citizenship and self discipline. These life skills stay with students as they grow and become active citizens.”
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading an External Credentialing Advisory Committee which includes representation from the three school boards and the Prince Edward Island Teachers’ Federation. External program providers have also been invited to sit on the committee.
“By recognizing the benefits of learning opportunities outside of traditional classrooms, educators are able to reach out to the community to help students build confidence and gain experience,” said Minister Currie. “An important goal of the external credential program is to help our students prepare for a global and innovative 21st century society.“
Applications from community organizations interested in being considered as external program providers are now being accepted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
BACKGROUNDER
Granting of External Credits:
• External Credentials may be granted in grades 10, 11, and 12.
• External Credentials may be equivalent to half or full credits.
• Within the 20 credits (English school system) or 25 credits (French school system) a high school student requires for graduation, one non-compulsory credit can be external credential.
• An external credential cannot be used to fulfill a student’s requirement for the 10 (English school system) or 15 (French school system) compulsory school credits.
• Students registered in the French school system who earn extra credentials(s) must do so in the French language. If the program through which the external credential is earned is not available in the French language, consideration will be given on an individual student basis.
• Students may use only one grade 12-level external credential as an elective credit towards the required number of grade 12 credits for graduation.
• Students who have earned an approved external credential prior to entering grade 10 may be awarded credit for that external credential if they present evidence of their credential any time after they enter grade 10.
• A student may earn an unlimited number of credits, including external credentials, beyond the 20 credits (English school system) or 25 credits (French school system) required for graduation. However, there are credit restrictions between external credentials where the courses, programs, or assessments are deemed to be equivalent by the External Credential Advisory committee.
• Although external credentials may contribute towards graduation requirements, they may or may not meet general or specific admission requirements for post-secondary institutions. It is the responsibility of students to verify admissions requirements for the post-secondary institution they plan to attend.
• Only those external credentials that have been reviewed and approved by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development can be included on the student transcript as external credentials.