Setting the Standard for Great Teaching Ontario College of Teachers | 2013 Annual Report 2013 ANNUAL REPORT i What the College Does The College’s mandate is to regulate The College is also mandated to and govern the teaching profession in communicate with the public on Ontario in the best interests of the behalf of the profession, which it does public. The College: primarily through its website at www.oct.ca and this annual report. • sets standards of practice and ethical standards • issues teaching certificates and 238,201 may suspend or revoke them members in good standing of all AQs awarded to • accredits teacher education members in 2013 were programs and courses, and 31% in Special Education of new OCTs in 2013 • investigates and hears complaints were international about individual members. 12% applicants ii 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents 2 Chair’s Message Statistics 4 Registrar’s Message 39 Transition to Teaching 44 Membership in the College Overview 46 Membership Demographics 6 The College at a Glance 47 Applications for Membership 7 College Mandate 49 Volume and Sources of Teacher Education 8 Council of the Ontario College of 52 Qualifications of College Members Teachers 56 Complaints, Investigations and Discipline 9 Professionalism & Transparency 57 Historical Statistics 12 Public Interest Committee Finances Committees at Work 58 Financial Reporting Responsibilities 13 Accreditation Committee 59 Independent Auditor’s Report 17 Accreditation Appeal Committee 60 Balance Sheet 18 Editorial Board Committee 61 Statement of Operations 20 Election Committee 62 Statement of Cash Flows 21 Executive Committee 63 Notes to Financial Statements 23 Finance Committee 24 Investigation Committee, Discipline Committee, Fitness to Practise Committee 28 Nomination Committee 29 Quality Assurance Committee 30 Registration Appeals Committee 32 Standards of Practice and Education Committee 38 Steering Committee 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Chair’s Message It’s been a year of milestones for the College, College Council and the teaching profession. It’s been a year of milestones for the College, Self-regulation recognizes the maturity of our College Council and the teaching profession. profession and honours the special skills, knowledge and experience that Ontario teachers News of the enhanced teacher education program possess. that will significantly change how teachers are educated and the Protecting Students Act that We focused on governance, accountability, strategic reinforces the College’s continuing efforts to thinking, action planning, and communication and streamline its investigation and discipline processes transparency. We received input from our partners made headlines in 2013. These are defining in education. Details are shared in the June 2014 moments to be sure. issue of our magazine Professionally Speaking. But what stands out in my mind for the year was Part of the College’s framework for the future the collaboration and partnerships that occurred includes our new public awareness initiative throughout 2013 and a significant, two-day meeting “Setting the Standard for Great Teaching.” The in early October with my colleagues. initiative is designed to make the public aware that the College exists and to explain what we do. We’re For the first time in College history, College telling people who we are and what we do, that Council members and senior College staff met to we’re here to protect the public interest and, most establish a mission statement, a vision, values and importantly, how highly qualified Ontario’s strategic priorities for this organization. It was a teachers are. meeting of minds of the people who set policy for the College and the senior staff involved in the Our communication initiative is more than just ad operation of the organization. buys – it’s about creating a voice for the College in the crowded education sector. Our mandate The work we accomplished will set the course for actually requires us “to communicate with the the College for the next three years. It public on behalf of the members of the College” demonstrated the power of participation of Council and Council has made this a priority. and staff to work together to create a framework for the College’s future. This initiative expands the outreach we already do and contains a comprehensive print, radio and It’s a new direction for the College and it’s positive. online communications program. We’re embarking on a path to better governance to strengthen the teaching profession’s privilege to Meanwhile, I don’t recall a time when so many self-regulate. changes were happening in so many different areas 2 2013 ANNUAL REPORT of the teaching profession. Plans are ramping up We’ve already made great strides to improve for the new enhanced teacher education program. transparency and efficiency, and the proposed The College has been a lead partner in this new legislation reinforces these efforts. For teachers, program that will better prepare teachers for their the improved efficiencies mean that matters will be classrooms. In fact, the program is based on dealt with in a timelier manner. More and more recommendations Council made to the these days, society is demanding transparency, government. communication and accountability from organizations. Starting in 2015, the teacher education program will double from two to four semesters and increase It’s important to note that the proposed Act is the practice teaching time from a minimum of 40 consistent with advice College Council provided to to 80 days. The program will include a sharper the government in response to an independent focus on equity and diversity, meeting the needs of review by former Ontario Chief Justice Patrick students with special needs, students’ mental health LeSage. Since the report was released in June 2012, and well-being, and teaching with technology Council has moved forward to implement the among other core elements. Council’s recommendations. Accreditation Committee will play a critical role in ensuring the enhanced programs are properly These are a few ways the College and its Council accredited. are working to strengthen self-regulation. In September 2013, Education Minister Liz Strengthened by the work we accomplished in Sandals introduced Bill 103, the Protecting 2013, the College continues to move forward to Students Act, to the Ontario legislature. The bill build public trust in our profession. contains the most significant amendments to the Ontario College of Teachers Act since the College was formed in 1997. 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Registrar’s Message 2013 was a productive year in self-regulation for Ontario’s teaching profession. 2013 was a productive year in self-regulation for demonstrate leadership that reflects our Ontario’s teaching profession. commitment to serve the public interest by ensuring that beginning teachers continue to have Some changes – implemented or envisioned – were meaningful opportunities to develop their skills profound new directions that will enhance the and knowledge. Once implemented, the enhanced public’s confidence in the profession in Ontario for program will contribute significantly to the quality the next decade and beyond. of teaching in Ontario for years to come. The Minister of Education, for example, Students benefit from great teaching that begins announced plans to create an enhanced program in with excellent preparation and continues with initial teacher education at Ontario’s faculties of ongoing professional learning. education with significant leadership and support from the Ontario College of Teachers. The As Registrar, it is my privilege to determine which promised changes reflect the College’s advice and Additional Qualification (AQ) courses and that of practitioners. New teachers have been programs satisfy the requirements for asking for years for more time to practice teach accreditation. In 2013, we accredited 490 AQ during their initial teacher education. Beginning in courses that are offered across Ontario by 38 September 2015, they’ll have it. The new program providers. To assist providers, we enhanced and will expand to four, full-time semesters from two added tools to our Accreditation Information and include a minimum of 80 days practice Management System to make it easy to report teaching (increased from 40). As well, they will substantial changes to their AQ programs, for have enriched learning opportunities to link theory example. and practice in areas such as diversity, teaching in the Ontario context, the use of technology in In 2013, Regis College became a new provider of teaching, mental health, special education and Schedule D Religious Education AQs. We continue well-being among other core elements including to work with several First Nations communities mathematics and literacy. who are interested in becoming providers of AQs in specialized areas related to First Nation, Métis The College has revised regulations, developed an and Inuit education. We are also working with accreditation resource guide and amended the district school boards interested in supporting requirements for certification to align with the professional development for teachers. enhanced teacher education program. We are advising the public and College members about the Continually striving for greater effectiveness, changes and will review the revisions to the efficiency and transparency is our goal. programs as part of our accreditation process. It’s an important initiative and we’re pleased to 4 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Effectiveness, efficiency