St. Joseph  high school p.s.d.l.

What is the PSDL Model?

The personalized self-directed learning model is a way of learning for students which enables the students to “take charge” of their education in a partnership role with their parents and teachers. As a result, the students learn to become more independent, responsible and goal-oriented in their studies and personal lives. Many educational experts refer to this as “emotional intelligence”. As a result of spending three years immersed in this way of learning, students are better prepared for post-secondary education.

The Personalized Self-directed Learning Program is solidly based on the following pillars:

1.    Personalized Scheduling

Personalized daily schedules meet each student’s specific educational needs. The schedule reflects the student’s use of time taking into consideration unique talent, interests and academic capability. For Grade 10 students the opportunity to take “more structured” academic courses is available.

2.   Teacher Advisor (TA)

The role the Teacher Advisor (TA) plays in each student’s learning experience is significant and crucial. The student will check in with the TA three times a day and spend an extended period of time every week with the TA to discuss progress, review the educational plan and access learning support.

3.    Supported Independent Study

Learning is viewed as an active not a passive process. Independent study is not study alone apart from the direction and support of adults and peers, but instead independent study is a triangle of group presentations, seminar sessions, and one-on-one conversation with subject experts.

4.  Continuous Progress

The curriculum is organized into learning guides or modules to allow for continuous progress. Students do not waste time waiting for other students to catch up. Students are not frustrated by the teacher’s pacing of work that is difficult for them.

5.  Regular review of student progress

Student progress is fully reviewed every 6 weeks to ensure that the students are successful in their studies. Also, parents can regularly monitor their child’s progress by accessing a secure web-based progress report which tracks academic performance in a dynamic fashion. As students complete their work, teachers assess the work and record their marks. Parents can then access the results, daily if they wish, from a program called “Parent View”.

St. Joseph High School

 PSDL Learning Attributes for Success

     Strong Reading Skills

·   65% or better in grade 9 English Language Arts and/or equivalent in CTBS scores

    Strong Organization and Communication Skills

·    demonstrated ability to communicate and negotiate with adults

·    commitment to meeting deadlines and self-organizing

    Independent, Self-Motivated Learner

·   demonstrated skills as an independent learner with the ability to self-monitor, self-motivate, and self-evaluate

·    consistent and regular school attendance

    Specific Post-Secondary Goals

·    desire to complete high school at an accelerated pace and post-secondary plans clearly laid out

     Full Support of Adults

·    strong recommendations from grade 9 teachers and the academic record to back up these recommendations

·    full parental support and understanding of the learning mode of PSDL PROGRAM

UNIT COMPLETION GUIDELINES

The self-directed learning program at St. Joseph is completely personalized and flexible for scheduling and use of time.  However, if a student is to complete the Grade 12 High School diploma requirements in the expected three years, (s)he needs to follow the minimum guidelines for unit completion based on the information below.  The student will work closely with the Teacher Advisor to plan and exceed these minimum goals.  These planning skills will empower the student to meet life’s challenges. 

COMPLETION OF COURSES

Students will have a maximum of five months to complete any course from the date of registration in that course.  After five months, final marks will be assigned.  At the end of June each year, final marks are assigned for all courses begun prior to May 1 of that school year. 

DIPLOMA EXAMINATION ELIGIBILITY

The following conditions apply to a student’s eligibility to write a diploma examination:

1.                   The student must have a mark of at least 50% in the diploma course.

2.                   The student must have completed a minimum of 20 units by December 20 or May 30 (depending on semester) in the diploma course.

3.                   The student who does not complete the 25 units of a diploma course may be eligible to write the diploma examination if at least 20 units are completed in the course. 

4.                   The student is granted permission to write the diploma examination at the discretion of the department head.

5.                   Students who register in a diploma course in September and have not completed it by the end of semester will NO LONGER be allowed to carry over their course work into semester two.  These students will be expected to re-register in the course and start the course from the beginning.  We believe this practice will improve completion rates and performance on diploma exams.  Exceptions can be made only upon approval of the department head.

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