Provincial government policies and guidelines
For postsecondary education in Ontario, in 2009, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and University revised the Framework for Programs of Instruction, which states: “Prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) is to be made available for as many credit courses as possible in programs of instruction in which enrolment is eligible for funding through the general purpose operating grant.” Consequently, the 24 publicly funded Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology (CAATs) in Ontario are required to provide access to PLAR to students. In 2003, there was also a provincial PLAR Resource document published that offered suggested PLAR best practices. However, most of the links in this document are not active.
For secondary education in Ontario, in 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Education issued the Policy/Program Memorandum 132 on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition for Mature Students – Revised Mandatory Requirements. It provides direction to boards concerning the mandatory requirements of Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 12: Policy and Program Requirements (2016) (Ontario Schools), Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for Mature Students who are enrolled in Ontario schools, including: secondary schools, continuing education, provincial schools, demonstration schools, Centre Jules-Léger, TVO's Independent Learning Centre (ILC).
Additional information
In 2022, the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) published the Prior Learning Assessment in Ontario: an online scan of PLAR information for Ontario's 24 Publicly Funded Colleges. On page 5, it states: “…Ontario colleges provide multiple ways for PLAR applicants to validate their learning, from the presence of learning portfolios to written or oral tests and interviews. In addition to these multiple assessment opportunities, the steps required for PLAR applicants are clearly outlined on the available web pages.” Consequently, students may consult the websites of the 24 publicly funded CAATs for educational institution-specific information.
In 2018, the report Best Practices in Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition in Ontario Colleges & Universities by Mary J. Harrison was published. The report highlights how postsecondary educational institutions operationalize prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) policies in Ontario.