2012 Annual Report

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Accreditation Committee

The College’s Accreditation Committee ensures the quality of teacher education programs in Ontario through the regular review and accreditation of these programs.

The accreditation process assures the profession and the public that teacher education programs meet the requirements established under regulation, integrating theory and practice so that graduates are prepared and qualified for today’s classrooms.

An accreditation panel – which has a minimum of six members, including one person nominated by the institution administering the program under review – is appointed by the Accreditation Committee to review each pre-service teacher education program. Existing programs are reviewed cyclically, usually every seven years, to confirm that the program continues to meet regulatory requirements.

After examining all documents submitted by the faculty and submissions provided by members of the public, panel members normally visit the campus. They conduct on-site interviews with faculty members and various stakeholders, examine artifacts and review facilities and resources. The panel then develops its report, setting out its recommendations and detailing its supporting evidence. The Accreditation Committee considers the information provided in the panel’s report, and renders its decision.

Program Reviews

The College reviewed the accreditation of a number of Ontario teacher education programs in 2012.

The Accreditation Committee renewed the accreditation of the following programs:

  • L’école des sciences de l’éducation at Université Laurentienne
    • French-language consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree. Granted general accreditation.
    • French-language multi-session consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior and Junior/Intermediate divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree. This alternative delivery program was granted general accreditation with conditions.
  • Faculty of Education at Brock University
    • consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree
    • concurrent program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree in the fifth year of study
    • consecutive program with areas of study in Technological Education subjects at the Grades 9/10 and Grades 11/12 level, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree or certificate
    • integrated consecutive program focusing on Aboriginal Education with areas of study in the Primary/Junior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree (Aboriginal), identified in the application as the “Aboriginal Bachelor of Education Program”.

      All programs were granted general accreditation.
  • Faculty of Education at Lakehead University
    • consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree
    • concurrent program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree, including a concurrent “Native Teacher Education Program” (NTEP Concurrent)
    • single-degree consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior divisions, leading to a four-year Honours Bachelor of Education (Aboriginal) degree
    • multi-session consecutive program with an area of study in teaching Native Languages, leading to a Diploma in Education (known as “Native Language Teacher’s Certification Program”).

      All programs were granted general accreditation with conditions.

An annual report is required when a teacher education program is accredited with conditions. The Accreditation Committee reviewed annual reports for the following programs:

  • Faculté d'éducation at the Université d’Ottawa
    • French-language multi-session, consecutive program with areas of study in the Primary/Junior and Junior/Intermediate divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree. This program is offered in an alternative mode.
  • Schulich School of Education at Nipissing University
    • multi-session consecutive program with an area of study in teaching Native Languages, leading to a Diploma in Education - known as “Teacher of Anishnaabemwin as a Second Language” (TASL program)

After reviewing the annual reports, the Accreditation Committee removed the conditions on these programs.

In late 2012, accreditation panels reviewed applications for renewal of accreditation of the pre-service programs offered by the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa (English and French programs) and the Faculty of Education, Queen’s University. These decisions will be available in the next annual report.

Accreditation Committee decisions for professional teacher education programs are posted on the College website.

A New Accreditation Committee

Changes to the Accreditation Committee membership took place following the installation of the new College Council in July, and included the election of a new Chair and Vice-Chair for the committee.

A two-day committee orientation session was held in July.

Accreditation Panel Training

In September, the College trained 17 participants, including new members of the Accreditation Committee, members of the profession and those with faculty of education or accreditation experience to serve on accreditation panels over the next three years. Participants explored many aspects of the College’s regulatory authority and procedures for the accreditation of pre-service teacher education programs in Ontario.

Presentation to College of Early Childhood Educators

In September, the Chair of the Accreditation Committee and College staff presented the College’s accreditation mandate and processes to members of the Council of the College of Early Childhood Educators. The recently established College requested the presentation to help inform the establishment of its own regulatory practices.

Public Input

The College welcomes public input on the quality of the teacher education programs it reviews.

A tool on the College website enables members of the public to learn about upcoming accreditation reviews and offer input on the quality of the programs for the panel’s consideration. The College also welcomes presentations made directly to the panel. Open forum meetings are now held during accreditation site visits to provide the public with opportunities to offer input to the panel.

Visit our website to know more about our upcoming accreditation reviews. http://www.oct.ca/public/accreditation/accreditation-review-feedback

Resources

The resources Accreditation Panel Interview Resources: Getting at Evidence and Accreditation Panel Member Guide for the Review of Applications for Accreditation of Programs of Professional Education were published in 2012.

These resources support the work required for accreditation reviews, and are helpful documents in understanding the College’s accreditation mandate and process.

Additional Qualifications Courses

Ongoing professional learning is highly valued by Ontario teachers. The College Registrar determines if Additional Qualification courses and programs satisfy the requirements for accreditation.

In 2012, the Registrar accredited 467 Additional Qualification courses.

The College continues to experience a significant increase in the number of applications submitted from providers for accreditation of AQs. For example, the College received 487 applications in 2012 compared to 386 in 2011.

AQ courses are offered by 37 providers across the province. In 2012, the Indigenous Education Coalition became a provider of AQ programs that support teachers to address the needs of First Nations, Metis and Inuit students. The College is meeting with several other First Nations communities, as well as Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology who are interested in becoming providers of AQs in specialized areas related to Native education and technological education.

Find an AQ

College members continue to benefit from the Find an AQ search engine on the College website. The tool enables members to determine the options available for a particular qualification, and to ensure that they will be registering in a currently accredited program from an approved provider.

Accreditation

Until June 30, 2012

  • Rebecca Coulter, OCT
  • Gale Dores, OCT
  • Dobi-Dawn Frenette
  • Clyde Glasgow
  • Allyn Janicki, OCT
  • Annilee Jarvis, OCT
  • Bill Kirkwood (Vice-Chair)
  • Ruth Ann Penny, OCT (Chair)
  • Pauline Smart

From July 4, 2012

  • Jean-Luc Bernard, OCT (from August 23, 2012)
  • Monique Châteauvert (until August 23, 2012)
  • Angela De Palma, OCT (Vice-Chair)
  • Gale Dores, OCT
  • Clyde Glasgow
  • Mel Greif
  • Allyn Janicki, OCT
  • Matthew Kavanagh, OCT
  • Bill Kirkwood (Chair)
  • Kara Smith, OCT