Special Credit
Special projects are student-initiated programs designed to encourage the pursuit of learning in an area of personal interest or passion. The content of the special project(s) need not be related to a specific school subject. If a special project is related to a specific school subject, the content of the project shall be distinct from and in addition to regular course requirements.
The Ministry of Education recognizes up to three Special Project Credits per student for out-of-school initiatives based on work proposed and completed by the individual student. Special Project Credits recognize student achievement in areas outside the regular Secondary Level program and encourage students to take an active role in selecting, planning, and organizing their own learning.
Participation in a pre-existing program, activity, team, or organisation, such as cadets, competitive sports, dance, or similar activities, cannot on its own be used for a Special Project Credit. The Special Project must be an individual learning project developed by the student around their own interests and goals. The proposal must identify learning that goes beyond simply participating in the existing activity or program.
Time spent participating in the pre-existing program or activity cannot be counted toward the required 100-hour time commitment for the Special Project. The 100 hours must be connected to the individual work and learning identified in the student’s Special Project proposal.
All Special Project proposals are subject to pre-approval and final approval by the Ministry of Education. Completion of the proposed work and 100-hour time commitment does not automatically guarantee that a Special Project Credit will be granted.
You can complete a registration application Online. CLICK HERE to register for the class.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me:
Lee Lovegrove
306-659-7705
Special Project Credits – Questions and Answers
Q: What marks are assigned to a Special Project Credit?
A: Effective August 2019, credit recognition for programs successfully completed by a non-academic entity will receive a final mark record of Standing Granted (SG) on the official Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement. A final per cent (%) mark is no longer required.
Q. Can a Special Project Credit be related to a provincial course? i.e., automotive class or rebuild an engine on my own or with help?
A. If a special project is related to a specific school subject, the content of the project shall be distinct from and in addition to regular course requirements. Project proposals are approved by the school and/or school division.
Q. Is a program itself (hockey, dance, drama, etc.) grounds for a Special Project Credit or a vehicle for establishing grounds for a credit?
A. Special projects are student-designed learning experiences, not teacher- or mentor-designed classes or programs. Students who want to collaborate on a special project with a community dance studio, or theatre company, for example, could be supported by the supervising teacher and dance/theatre mentor in identifying individualized goals and project descriptions tailored by and for each student. The mentor from the dance studio or theatre company could help codesign the learning experiences to ensure each student is able to carry out his/her individual project rather than providing a pre-set “program” that is the same learning experience for every student who is participating in a community dance or theatre class.
Q. Can Special Project Credits 10, 20, 30 be all attained using the same project?
A. Yes, however each project must clearly identify new learning and be distinct from previous special project submissions.
Q. What do we mean by 100 hours of work?
A. 1 credit = 100 hours. The expected start and completion dates and an outline of how the required amount of time (100 hours) must be clearly outlined in the proposal to receive the credit. The work must include all aspects of the learning such as theory, practice, etc.
Q. Is there a timeline framework to complete a special project credit? Does it have to be completed within the school calendar year, or can it flow over the course of 2 academic years, or be completed in part during summer/holiday months?
A. There is no time limit however students must be enrolled in the school/division. The timeline should be identified in the Special Project Proposal Template. Any adjustments to the timeline must be recorded on the proposal for future reference and auditing.
