TQR

Teacher-education recommendations include longer programs, more practice teaching

Council approved recommendations at its September 29th meeting that will significantly enhance the preparation of Ontario's teachers in meeting the needs of tomorrow's classrooms.

The 66 recommended changes to the Teachers' Qualifications Regulation (TQR) emerged from the College's review of regulations that govern how teachers are prepared for the classroom and the continuing education programs available for improving teachers' professional skills and knowledge throughout their careers.

Recommendations for regulatory amendments have been forwarded to the Minister of Education for review and implementation.

“This was the first substantial review of teachers' qualifications in over 25 years,” said Council Chair Marilyn Laframboise. “We hope that Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne will respond quickly and positively and that education stakeholders will join us in advocating for recommendations that represent a consensus from throughout Ontario education.”

“Many of these recommendations will resonate with our members,” said Professional Affairs Co-ordinator Margaret Aubé. “For example, we recommended lengthening the practicum in part because our members told us that a particularly useful aspect of their teacher education program was the time spent in schools working alongside experienced teachers.”

Council approved 66 recommendations, covering the content and length of teacher-education programs, their enrolment requirements and refinements to the course lists that name Additional Qualifications and ongoing professional education for practising teachers.

The recommendations include proposals to:

• increase the length of the practicum from 40 to 60 days
• make Special Education a required part of initial teacher education
• extend the length of teacher education programs from eight months to 10 months
• increase the number of courses in teacher education programs from five to six
• adjust prerequisites for admission to some Additional Qualification courses to enable more members to enrol
• recognize in regulation the specific purposes of some Additional Qualification programs.

Council also approved a recommendation to sponsor a provincial colloquium with faculties of education, members of the College and education partners on the role of the associate teacher and faculty advisor in the delivery of the practicum part of teacher education.

Registrar Brian McGowan, who headed the team of College staff that conducted the review, acknowledged the efforts of those who worked for a year and a half on the project. The group managed the extensive consultation process with education stakeholders and members of the College as well as developing background resource documents, questionnaires and policy option reports.

The College is preparing a comprehensive report on the findings of the review and the decisions presented to Council, which will be distributed to all participants and education stakeholders.

The TQR recommendations are available on the College web site.