Modernizing Learning
30 Credits My Way: Expanding Student Success Pathways
As Educators, we’ve always believed in the potential of every student. But we also recognized something important: the traditional high school path hasn’t always made room for the full range of student experiences, interests, and goals.
Students told us they didn’t always know what their options were. Families shared that navigating course selection could feel overwhelming, and educators wanted better tools to help guide meaningful conversations about the future.
We listened—and responded with 30 Credits My Way.
More than a course selection tool, 30 Credits My Way is a shift in mindset. It puts students at the center of the planning process, helping them explore, customize, and take ownership of their high school journey in a way that reflects who they are and what they aspire to be.
A series of collaborative milestones shaped the development of this work, including consultations, resource creation, and system-wide rollout. Visual tools such as the 30 Credits My Way guide, placemats, and postcards were designed to help students, families, and educators map available pathways. This includes night school, summer school, co-op placements, dual credits, eLearning, and mature student supports.
With 30 Credits My Way, students can:
-
Design pathways that match their passions and strengths—whether that’s heading to university, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, or something uniquely their own.
-
Access a range of programs, from co-op and dual credits to eLearning, summer school, night school, and mature student supports.
-
Make informed choices, supported by new visual tools like guides, placemats, and postcards that bring clarity to the planning process.
-
Build confidence, knowing their educational path is theirs to shape, not a one-size-fits-all route.
This approach reflects our commitment to Meaningful Learning and Connected Communities in our Multi-Year Strategic Plan. It’s also a reflection of our belief that every student deserves an education that fits—not one they have to fit into.
30 Credits My Way is helping us reimagine what high school can look like—one student, one plan, one future at a time.
Empowering Learning Through Generative AI:
Our Ongoing Journey
Our journey into generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) at the DDSB began with one clear goal: to explore new ways of learning while ensuring that the tools we use are safe, responsible, and inclusive.
As technology continues to shape our world, we’re focused on making sure Gen AI is used thoughtfully and purposefully across all aspects of our work—not just in classrooms but throughout how we support our staff and students. To do this, we have released draft guidelines for staff and students, and have engaged the community in recent PD Day training to help everyone—from educators and administrators to students and families—understand how to effectively and safely integrate Gen AI into their work with integrity.
We’re not just applying Gen AI in one-off scenarios. We’re weaving it into strategies like Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring that it becomes a tool that supports every type of learner and educator. Through professional development days, staff meetings, and interactive sessions such as “lunch and learns,” our team has been exploring how Gen AI can enhance learning experiences, streamline workflows, and foster greater collaboration.
But it’s not just about using Gen AI for its own sake. We’ve been engaging with staff, central teams, union partners, and teachers in training to ensure our guidelines reflect their needs and experiences. Their feedback is crucial in shaping how we use AI in ways that make sense for everyone.
At the DDSB and Grandview School’s Idea Conference, educators and administrators came together to explore how AI can make learning more accessible and inclusive. We also looked at other innovations like 3D printing and iPad learning tools to see how they fit into our educational ecosystem. But we’re not just focused on our board. We’re actively participating in AI working groups across Ontario, attending conferences, and collaborating with post-secondary institutions like Ontario Tech and Trent University to ensure our approach is informed by the latest research and best practices.
This is a shared journey. We continue to exchange ideas with other school boards across the province and engage in meaningful discussions about the role Gen AI can play in education.
Because at DDSB, we believe that learning to use new tools—responsibly, creatively, and collaboratively—is key to preparing our students for whatever the future holds.