Questions and Answers

DO OTHER PROVINCES IN CANADA HAVE AN EXTERNAL CREDENTIALING POLICY?

Yes. The following table provides an overview of provincial External Credentialing Policies in Canada.

Province	Policy?	Courses and Programs	Number of Credits
British Columbia	Yes	Languages, Sports, Officiating, Coaching, Industrial and Occupational Courses, Youth Development Courses.	Unlimited
Alberta	Yes	Private Music Study, Green Certificate Program, Special Projects Credits, and Registered Apprenticeship Progams.	10 of (80 mandatory and 20 elective credits required for graduation)
Saskatchewan	Yes	Special Project Credit, External Music Programs, and Cadet Training.	1 for special projects and cadet training. 3 for external music programs.
Manitoba	Yes	Student-Initiated Projects and Credit for Community Service.	1
Ontario	Yes	Royal Conservatory of Music Programs.	1
New Brunswick	No	n/a
Prince Edward Island	No	n/a
Newfoundland and Labrador	Yes	Cadet Training, Royal Conservatory of Music.	4

WILL THIS CHANGE THE PROGRAM THAT HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE TO COMPLETE TO GRADUATE?

No. The External Credentialing Policy provides students with a new option for counting completion of external courses or programs recognized by the Department of Education toward their graduation requirements, but participation in these courses or programs is not a requirement for graduation.

HOW MANY EXTERNAL CREDITS CAN BE RECOGNIZED ON A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT'S TRANSCRIPT?

Within the eighteen credits a high school student requires for graduation, one elective credit can be an external credential in languages, community leadership, or the arts. However, a student may have an unlimited number of external credits recognized on their high school transcript beyond the eighteen required for graduation. These additional credits will appear on a student's transcript, but will not be applied toward graduation requirements.

WHAT COURSES AND PROGRAMS WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS EXTERNAL CREDENTIALS?

The proposed policy includes courses and programs in three areas: languages, community leadership, and the arts. The proposed list of recognized providers and courses/programs include, Languages that are not offered through the NS Public School Program. Community Leadership The Company Program - Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia Air, Sea and Army Cadet Programs – Canadian Cadet Organization 4-H Leadership Development Program – 4-H Nova Scotia Sport Leadership Program – Sport Nova Scotia Emergency Responder – St. John Ambulance National Lifeguard Service Arts Grade 5 to 8 Practical Music AND grade 1 or 2 Rudiments offered by the Conservatory of Music Select courses offered through Dance Nova Scotia, Completion of the Youth Performance Company program at the Neptune Theatre.

WILL STUDENTS BE ASSIGNED A GRADE FOR THEIR EXTERNAL CREDIT?

No. Completion of external credentials will appear on a student's transcript indicating that a student has met all the requirements of a course or program, but the transcript will not reflect a grade.

IF A STUDENT DOES NOT HAVE EXTERNAL CREDENTIALS, WILL THEY STILL BE ELIGIBLE TO GRADUATE?

Yes. Participation in approved external courses and programs is optional for all high school students.

WILL THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDE FUNDING FOR STUDENTS TO COMPLETE EXTERNAL CREDITS?

No. Students are responsible for all registration fees and other costs associated with completing an approved external credential course or program, including transportation.

DOES A STUDENT NEED APPROVAL FROM THE SCHOOL OR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENROL IN AN EXTERNAL CREDIT COURSE OR PROGRAM?

No. The Department of Education will maintain a list of recognized courses or programs and the external providers that offer them, but they do not approve an individual student's participation in them. If they want an external credential to appear on their high school transcript, students are advised to check with school officials (e.g. guidance counselors, vice-principals or principals) before enrolling in the course or program to make sure it - and the provider they plan to take it through - are on the recognized provincial list.

CAN A STUDENT RECEIVE CREDIT FOR A LANGUAGE, LEADERSHIP OR ARTS COURSE/PROGRAM THAT IS NOT ON THE RECOGNIZED DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LIST?

No. Only courses and programs offered by recongized external providers will be considered as external credentials on a student's transcript