Reports on recent College activities and a selection of announcements, events and initiatives in the wider education community.
New pre-service requirements
BC College expands qualifications
The BC College of Teachers (BCCT) is implementing new pre-service requirements in Aboriginal education and special needs. By September 2012 the BCCT will require all nine BC teacher education programs to ensure that teacher applicants complete specialized training in both of these areas.
The BC College had no mandatory requirement for specific education in these areas. Teacher candidates at some faculties could pursue courses in both First Nations studies and special needs within their academic coursework, while other pre-service programs made it a requirement. Specialized professional development for practising teachers was also available in First Nations studies and special needs.
"We are pleased to see another Canadian jurisdiction adopting directions similar to the recommendations made by our Council in its Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow report, says Michelle Longlade, OCT, the College's Director of Standards of Practice and Accreditation. "We'll be closely monitoring the BC experience to help inform our implementation of these important program elements."
For more information on the College Council's 2006 recommendations for regulatory amendments to initial programs of professional education, see page 101 of the report Preparing Teachers for Tomorrow.
