Committees at Work

Accreditation Committee

The College’s Accreditation Committee ensures the quality of initial 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 quality assurance requirements established under regulation. The programs integrate theory and practice so that graduates acquire the appropriate knowledge and skills to teach in Ontario classrooms.

The Accreditation Committee appoints an accreditation panel to review each initial teacher education program. Existing programs are reviewed cyclically, usually every seven years, to confirm that the program continues to meet regulatory requirements.

Panel members examine all documents submitted by the faculty and conduct a site visit of programs applying for accreditation renewal. The panel interviews faculty members and various stakeholders, examines supporting materials, and reviews facilities and resources. Members of the public are always provided with an opportunity to offer feedback about the programs under review.

The panel then develops its report, setting out its recommendations and detailing its supporting evidence. The Accreditation Committee considers the information in the panel’s report and issues a decision.

Enhanced Teacher Education Program

In the fall of 2015, the initial teacher education program at Ontario’s faculties of education was enhanced, and the College’s Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, was amended to lengthen the program to four semesters, increase practice teaching time to 80 days and include new core content. In 2016, the Accreditation Committee carried out a verification process to ensure all teacher education programs complied with these new requirements. This comprised the review of 45 programs at 18 Ontario institutions.

Accreditation Reviews

In 2016, the College conducted three initial teacher education program reviews for the following programs:

In late 2016, the faculties of education at The University of Western Ontario (Western University), the University of Windsor and Wilfrid Laurier University submitted applications for the general accreditation of their programs.

The Accreditation Committee also carried out reviews — through a verification process — of all existing Ontario programs, comprising the review of 45 programs at 18 Ontario institutions.

Substantial Change Decisions

The Accreditation Committee received and reviewed substantial change requests — and requests for additions to programs — for the following programs:

The committee approved the changes and additions to the programs at Nipissing University, York University and University of Ottawa.

Accreditation Resources

Resources that support the accreditation of initial teacher education programs, including the Accreditation Panel Interview Resource: Getting at Evidence and the Technical Guide — Accreditation Resource Guide, were updated to reflect regulatory changes and program enhancements. In support of maintaining a streamlined process for accreditation reviews, staff continued to improve accreditation resources and practices. Committee resources, including the Pre-Service Accreditation Handbook and the Accreditation Panel Member Guide, continued to be utilized in 2016.

Committee Professional Development

Presentations were provided in support of continuous professional development for the Accreditation Committee, including a conversation on the reasons for the “theory and practice gap” facilitated by two Canadian teacher education researchers from the University of Toronto. Committee members also received information on the College’s annual Transition to Teaching report.

Public Input

The College invites public input about the teacher education programs it reviews.

An email notification tool on the College website allows members of the public to learn about upcoming accreditation reviews and offer input on the quality of the programs for the panel’s consideration. Social media outreach — throughout the accreditation review and open forum meetings available during site visits — provides the public with opportunities to offer input to the panel.

Visit the College website to learn about upcoming accreditation reviews or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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