Saskatchewan High School Credit
Options
A Guide for High School Educators
saskatchewan.ca
2017
2
Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 3
An Overview of What Students Need to Graduate .............................................................. 3
Regular English Program
......................................................................................... 6
French Immersion Program
..................................................................................... 6
Fransaskois Program
............................................................................................... 6
How can students earn high school credits? ................................................................. 8
In-school course credits ........................................................................................... 8
Online course credits ............................................................................................... 8
Apprenticeship credits ............................................................................................. 8
Dual course credits .................................................................................................. 8
Special project credits .............................................................................................. 8
Course challenges ................................................................................................... 8
Supplemental department examinations ................................................................... 9
Summer school ....................................................................................................... 9
Credit recovery ....................................................................................................... 9
Career Planning ................................................................................................................ 9
Awards and Scholarships ................................................................................................. 10
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement ...................................................................... 10
Helpful Online Resources ................................................................................................. 10
This document was created by the Ministry of Education, Information Management and
Support Branch in consultation with Student Achievement and Supports Branch.
Student and Educator Services
Ministry of Education
128-1621 Albert Street
REGINA SK S4P 2S5
Telephone: 306-787-6012
Fax: 306-787-0035
Assessment Unit
Ministry of Education
128-1621 Albert Street
REGINA SK S4P 2S5
Telephone: 306-787-6037
Fax: 306-798-7493
Website: www.saskatchewan.ca
3
Introduction
High school provides the opportunity for students to explore their interests and shape their
future. Although there are certain courses that students must take to graduate, they still get
to choose courses that interest them. Students often rely on educators to help with high
school course selection for graduation and post-secondary opportunities.
Saskatchewan
High School Credit Options: A guide for high school students is available online. This
document is the accompanying guide for high school educators.
This document explains a Saskatchewan High School Grade 12 program standing – what is
required and where students have choices. It is a compilation of secondary level course
options and the supporting policies and documents including the authority under which
these apply. It also identifies opportunities to earn secondary level course credits in
non-traditional ways, career planning tools and post-secondary funding options.
Educators are encouraged to review local administrative procedures for secondary level
course options to further develop an understanding of policy and procedures when
counselling students.
An overview of what students need to graduate
In Saskatchewan, students have to pass certain courses such as English language arts, math
and science in order to graduate with a Grade 12 program standing. Students must
successfully complete and pass 24 course credits.
At the secondary level, there are three categories in which students must obtain credits:
•
required courses of study
which are compulsory courses intended to provide a
general education;
•
specified areas of study
which are intended to allow students to continue to take
courses of a general nature or to specialize in areas of individual interest; and,
•
electives
which allow for further choice and specialization based on individual needs
and local priorities.
There are special course requirements for Bilingual or Fransaskois mention on the official
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
.
For bilingual mention, 12 of the 24 courses must be taught in French including three French
language arts courses.
For Fransaskois mention, 21 of the 24 courses must be taught in French including five
compulsory French language arts courses.
4
For more information, refer to the Registrar’s Handbook: Section 1 - Time Allocations and
Credit Policy.
The table provides an overview of what courses are required to graduate by program:
Area of study
Minimum Number of Credits Required
Regular
English
Program
Immersion
Program
English Language Arts
5
French Language Arts
-
Mathematics
2
Science
2
Social Sciences
3
Health Education / Physical Education
1
Arts Education / Practical and
Applied Arts
2
Sub-Total
15
Electives
9
Total
24
What if a student needs more than three years to graduate from high school?
Students may ask for your advice to help them create a graduation and post-graduation plan
that will work best for them. Grade 12 graduation requirements are the same, regardless of
the amount of time required to complete them.
Section 168(1) (d) of
The Education Act, 1995 (the Act)
states:
Every school shall be organized to provide any or all of the following instructional
components that may be determined by the board of education or the conseil
scolaire… (d) the Secondary Level, which is to provide a three-year program of
instruction to follow completion of the Middle Level.
Section 168(2) and (3) further explain:
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the rate of progress of any pupil or of any group
of pupils in completing the work of any Level may, in the discretion of the teacher
but subject to the policies of the school, be accelerated or decelerated.
(3) Pursuant to subsection (2), the content of any of the courses of study taken by a
pupil or a group of pupils may be altered, augmented or otherwise adjusted in any
manner that the teacher considers advisable in the interests of the pupil or pupils.
5
Section 142 further articulates that students have the right to attend school at the cost of
school division:
142(1) Subject to the other provisions of this Act, every person who has attained the
age of six years but has not yet attained the age of 22 years has the right: (a) to
attend school in the school division where that person or that person’s parents or
guardians reside; and (b) to receive instruction appropriate to that person’s age and
level of educational achievement.
What is the difference between required courses and electives?
Required courses are compulsory and require that all prerequisites are met. There are still
choices within required courses. For example, mathematics has three pathways –
Apprenticeship and Workplace Math, Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus.
Elective course credits are chosen on interests and abilities, as well as course availability at
the school. To meet the credit requirements for graduation, students are required to take six
to nine elective courses at the secondary level depending on the program. These courses
include at least six courses at Grade 11 or 12 (level 20 or 30).
Students are not limited to course offerings at the base school. Check out other ways to
earn secondary level credits in the section “How can students earn high school credits?
”
6
What courses do students need to meet the graduation requirements?
To help students with their graduation planning, the 24 credit program requirement is
broken down by grade and program type:
Regular English Program
French Immersion
Fransaskois Program**
Grade 10
Minimum of eight (8)
credits
including:
Minimum of eight (8)
credits (4
credits must be
taught in French)
including:
Minimum of eight (8)
credits
including:
•
English Language Arts A10
and
B10;
•
Social Studies 10, History 10
or
Native Studies 10;
•
Science 10;
•
a mathematics at the level
10;
•
3 electives at level 10, 20
or 30.
•
English Language Arts
A10 or / ou
English Language
Arts B10;
•
Français immersion 10;
•
Social Studies 10; or
History 10 or /
ou Histoire 10;
or Native Studies 10;
•
Science 10 / Sciences 10;
•
a math at the 10 level / un
cours de
niveau 10 de
mathématiques;
•
3 electives at level 10, 20
or 30 / 3
cours au choix de
niveau 10, 20 ou 30.
•
Français fransaskois
A10 et
Français
fransaskois B10;
•
English Language Arts
A10 ou
English Language
Arts B10;
• Sciences sociales
Fransaskois 10;
•
Sciences 10;
•
un crédit en
mathématiques de
niveau 10;
•
2 crédits au choix de
niveau 10.
** All subjects other than
English
language arts are
taught in French
Grade 11
Minimum of sixteen (16)
credits
including:
Minimum of sixteen (16)
credits (8
credits must be in
French) including:
Minimum of sixteen (16)
credits
including:
•
English Language Arts 20;
•
a mathematics at the 20
level;
•
6 additional elective credits
at
level 20 or 30.
•
English Language Arts 20;
•
Français immersion 20;
•
a math at the 20 level / un
cours de
niveau 20 de
mathématiques;
•
5 additional elective
credits at level
20 or 30 / 5
autres cours au choix de
niveau 10, 20 ou 30.
•
Français fransaskois 20;
•
English Language Arts 20;
•
un crédit en
mathématiques de
niveau 20;
•
un crédit au choix tel
qu’identifié dans le tableau de
12e
année;
•
4 crédits au choix de
niveau 20
ou 30.
** All subjects other than
English
l
anguage arts are
taught in French
7
Regular English Program
French Immersion
Fransaskois Program**
Grade 12
Minimum of 24 credits (5
of
which must be at the 30
level)
including:
Minimum of 24 credits (5 of
which
must be at the 30
level and 12 must
be in
French) including:
Minimum of 24 credits
including:
•
English Language Arts
A30
and English Language
Arts B30;
•
Social Studies 30:
Canadian
Studies, History
30: Canadian
Studies or
Native Studies 30: Canadian
Studies;
•
a social science 20 or 30;
•
a science 20 or 30*;
•
2 credits in arts education
or
practical and applied arts
at level
10, 20, or 30;
•
Wellness 10, Physical
Education 20 or Physical
Education 30.
* Science 20 or 30 pre-
requisites
must be met
•
English Language Arts A30
or / ou
English Language Arts
B30;
•
Français immersion 30;
•
Social Studies 30: Canadian
Studies
or / ou History 30:
Canadian Studies or
/ ou Native Studies 30:
Canadian
Studies or / ou
Sciences sociales
immersion
30: Les études
canadiennes;
or / ou Histoire 30: Les
études canadiennes;
•
a science 20 or 30* / un
cours de
niveau 20 ou 30*
de sciences;
•
a social science 20 or 30 /
un cours
de niveau 20 ou 30
en sciences
sociales;
•
2 credits in arts education
or
practical and applied arts
at level 10,
20, or 30 / deux
crédits de niveau 10,
20 ou
30 dans les domaines de
l’éducation artistique ou des
arts
pratiques et appliqués;
•
Wellness 10, Physical
Education 20,
or Physical
Education 30 / Mieux-être
10,
Éducation physique 20, ou
Éducation physique 30.
* Science 20 or 30 pre-
requisites must
be met
•
Français fransaskois
A30 et
Français
fransaskois B30;
•
English Language Arts
A30 ou
English Language
Arts B30;
• Sciences sociales
Fransaskois 30;
•
un crédit en sciences
sociales de
niveau 20 ou 30;
•
un crédit en sciences de
niveau
20 ou 30*;
•
un crédit à choisir parmi
Mieux-
être 10, Éducation
physique 20, ou
Éducation
physique 30;
•
deux crédits de niveau 10,
20
ou 30 dans les domaines
de
l’éducation artistique ou
des arts
pratiques et
appliqués.
** All subjects other than
English
language arts are
taught in French
* Science 20 or 30 pre-
requisites
must be met
8
How can students earn high school credits?
In-school course credits are the most common and traditional way for students to earn
secondary level credits. Courses are offered in a school and face-to-face with a teacher.
Saskatchewan Education allows for credits to be earned in other non-traditional ways.
Online course credits may be offered by your school or school division. However, students
may take a secondary level course online for credit from any Saskatchewan accredited
online school. Visit Saskatchewan Distance Education Course online for more information.
Apprenticeship credits
are earned by students who are employed under the supervision of a
journeyperson in a trade in which the hours worked are eligible for credit through the
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. Up to four secondary
level apprenticeship credits may be earned on the basis of work proposed and completed by
the student. The application for apprenticeship credits must be in place and approved
prior
to the student beginning the work for which he/she will receive credit. Each apprenticeship
credit shall be carried out under the supervision of a teacher, and the apprenticeship need
not be related to a specific school subject. Apprenticeship credits may be used to meet the
Practical and Applied Arts/Arts Education credit requirement or as electives to meet the 24
credit requirement at the Secondary Level. Refer to the
Apprenticeship Policy for additional
information.
Dual course credits
provide alternative pathways to graduation by allowing high school
students the opportunity to earn high school credits and post-secondary credits or other
program recognition at the same time in the same course. Continuing Care Aid, Early
Childhood Education, and Computer-aided Design courses are a few of the courses available
online for dual credit recognition. There is a list of
dual credit course options online that
might work for student’s graduation and career plan. Refer to the Dual Credit Policy for
additional information.
Special project credits
are credits earned for out-of-school initiatives that are not classified as
dual credit course options.
A student must get approval from the school principal
prior
to
starting the work for this special course
. It requires a minimum of 100 hours of work and
must be supervised by a teacher. Activities that would be considered a normal part of extra-
curricular or co-curricular activities generally offered by a school may not be given Special
Project Credit recognition. It is important to ensure that the school/school division
Administrative Procedure for Special Projects is adhered to. Refer to the
Special Project
Policy for additional information.
9
Course challenges allow students to demonstrate a high level of achievement of the learning
outcomes of a particular course without spending the required hours enrolled in the course.
There is a specific process to follow and only two courses (at the 10 or 20 level) can be
challenged in high school. It is important to ensure that the school/school division
Administrative Procedure for Course Challenges is adhered to. Refer to the
Course
Challenge Policy for additional information.
Supplemental department examinations provide the opportunity for students to raise their
marks in a Grade 12 Level 30 English language arts, mathematics or science course.
Supplemental examinations will be written for 100% of the final mark. Only the highest
mark attained will appear on the
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
. There is no
cost to write a departmental examination, but students must register to take one. For more
information on how to register or prepare for a departmental examination and the
examination schedule, visit Departmental Examinations online. There are online practice
exams to help the teacher prepare students too! Also refer to the Registrar’s Handbook:
Section 2 – Departmental Examinations for additional information.
Summer school options are available in July and August. Students may want to take a
course online during the summer or face-to-face if it is available in their area. Taking
courses over the summer months can help reduce the student’s course load during the
regular school year. Summer School course offerings are online at Saskatchewan Distance
Education and Summer School Courses.
Credit recovery
options are available to students who may need a bit more time to complete
course work without having to redo the entire course. Schools or school divisions will have
certain requirements that must be met for this option. It is important to ensure that the
school/ school division Administrative Procedure for Credit Recovery is adhered to. Refer to
the
Credit Recovery Policy (fall 2017) for additional information.
Regardless of credit option, educators are encouraged to become familiar with local
Administrative Procedures for each in addition to the Ministry of Education policies and
procedures.
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Career Planning
Developing and maintaining a graduation and post-graduation plan will assist students in
exploring their interests, skills, values and personal traits while considering the many career
pathways available in Saskatchewan, Canada and beyond. It will guide students in making
informed decisions that impact their present and future lives. A graduation and post-
graduation plan is a tool to assist them in transitioning smoothly through high school and
beyond, and to a future that is personally fulfilling and rewarding. The school or school
division may have access to online surveys and quizzes to help identify what interests, skills
and values you have and what career possibilities are available to students.
MyBlueprint
is an online career and education planning tool that is available to all
Saskatchewan students.
The Government of Saskatchewan provides information on job training and financial
support programs, job openings and career opportunities in Saskatchewan. Please search
Jobs, Working, and Training on saskatchewan.ca for more details.
SASKGraduates.ca contains provincial data regarding graduation rates and a listing of best
practices and research from the province of Saskatchewan.
Awards and Scholarships
To discover what loans, grants, scholarships and awards for post-secondary are available to
help finance your future education, please click on scholarships, awards, bursaries and
grants, and/or student loans.
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
The Saskatchewan
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
is the official mark record of
secondary level courses completed. Only the highest mark record for a course is printed on
this document. Students will receive an official
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
in February and July of their graduating year. However, guidance counsellors may run the
unofficial transcript from the Student Data System to ensure all final mark records are
recorded correctly. Similarly, there are reports for graduation requirements and final mark
record verification to help ensure mark records are submitted correctly.
Students can order additional
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
documents for
employment, scholarships and awards or post-secondary institution admissions online at
www.saskatchewan.ca
.
11
It is important to note that the official
Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
is
produced for distribution on the third Thursday of every month. Therefore, final mark
records (school and departmental examinations) will be included on the transcript AFTER
that timeframe.
Helpful online resources
myBlueprint
Saskatchewan.ca
Saskatchewan High School Credit Options: A guide for high school students
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Course Challenge Process Policy and Procedures
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Departmental Examinations
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Dual Credit Policy
Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Special Project Credit Policy and Procedures
The Education Act, 1995
The Registrar’s Handbook for School Administrators
SaskCareers