The Ontario government now requires applicants for an Ontario teaching licence to write a qualifying test as part of the requirements to obtain a licence to teach in Ontario. This requirement is effective March 15.

Graduates from Ontario faculties of education not certified by March 15 must write the test in order to receive their Certificate of Qualification. They are not required to achieve a passing score on the test, which is now being conducted as a full field test this year. Effective January 1, 2003, however, graduates of Ontario faculties of education will be required to achieve a passing score on the test as a condition of certification.

Technological Studies, Native Language (second language) and Native Ancestry teachers, as well as teachers for the deaf, dance teachers and teachers for the developmentally delayed, are not required to write the test at this time.

College members who held interim teaching certificates on or before March 15 need not write the qualifying test. As Professionally Speaking went to press, the College was trying to clarify the government’s intention about requirements for interim certificate holders who are certified after March 15.

The test has been designed for the Ministry of Education by the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) and the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey. It will assess student teachers’ knowledge of the Ontario curriculum, teaching skills and strategies, assessment strategies, learning theory, special education, classroom management, the use of educational technologies and legislation relevant to teaching in Ontario.

For more information on the test, visit the OPC web site at www.principals.on.ca.