Highlights of the 2001 Annual Report

The College reached a milestone in 2001, completing its first five years of operation. The Council recognizes that our work must support and strengthen the profession as a whole. In 2001, the College Council initiated a number of projects to ensure that Ontario teachers are recognized for the work they do and to complement the work of our members in ensuring that students have the best learning environment and opportunities possible.

The College held a number of discussions with the Ministry of Education relating to regulations on accreditation of teacher education programs and exemptions to mandatory professional learning.

The Ontario Teacher Qualifying Test, which the provincial government announced would be introduced in 2002, was also the subject of discussions. Talks covered issues such as how the qualifying test might affect applications from teachers trained outside Ontario and how different qualifying tests may be structured for members with certain qualifications such as deaf education, Native Language as a Second Language and Technological Studies.

The College continued to emphasize improving the delivery of services to members by providing more information about the College and more College documents on our web site. In 2001, members for the first time could pay their membership fee online and the public register became accessible online.

With the support of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation and with Ministry of Education funding, the College began a five-year study of 2001 and 2002 graduates of the province’s faculties of education. The study will follow the graduates through the early years of their careers to determine what policies and procedures should be in place to ensure that teachers remain in the profession.

Paid membership in the College in 2001 was 183,243 or about 5,300 more than anticipated. Every category including renewals, Ontario new graduates, applicants from out of province and returning members was higher than projected in the budget. We believe that a growing student enrolment, churning employment picture and more part-time work are the main factors in the continued annual growth.

Following meticulous preparation and a point-by-point review of the budget for 2002, the Council agreed at its June meeting to raise the annual membership fee from $90 to $104. Even with the increase, the College fee remains the lowest of 37 self-regulatory professional bodies in Ontario.

The face of the College Council, which had altered so dramatically in 2000 with five new appointments and 17 new elected members, remained unchanged in 2001. Four Council members were chosen to serve on the new Professional Learning Committee – Jerry De Quetteville of Burlington as Chair, Elayne McDermid of Brampton as Vice-Chair, and Bernard J. Adam of Ottawa and Patrick Daly of Hamilton. Two College members-at-large – Martha Barrett of Paisley and Debi Homuth of Exeter – were selected by the Council from 105 applications for the positions. Robert Kennedy, a former director of the Nipissing Board of Education, Bridget Harrison, a former superintendent of the Peel District School Board, and Lynn Ziraldo, executive director of the Learning Disabilities Association of York Region, were appointed to the committee by the Minister of Education.

The Executive Committee

The Executive Committee reviews the work of other College committees, refers matters to them as appropriate and conducts the ongoing business of the College between meetings of Council.

Committee Activities

The committee held three regular meetings in 2001, and special meetings in June and August to consider the impact of new provincial legislation creating mandatory professional learning requirements for the teaching profession.

The committee directed staff to prepare a submission to the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Justice and Social Policy regarding Bill 101, the Student Protection Act.

In 2001, the committee reviewed its protocol for interim suspensions pending the outcome of discipline hearings to ensure such matters are considered with appropriate safeguards in place. During the year, the Executive Committee issued five interim orders of suspension.


Accreditation Committee

The Accreditation Committee reviews and accredits pre-service and in-service teacher education programs.

Committee Activities

In 2001, the Accreditation Committee presented its final report to Council. The report – Programs of Professional Teacher Education Pilot Project, 1997-2000 – made 35 recommendations for teacher education reform that grew out of the pilot project.

In 2001, the College developed a process for training accreditation panel members and wrote A Guide for Panel Members for Accreditation of Programs of Professional Teacher Education, which the Accreditation Committee approved. The College also developed a guide for new providers of teacher education programs to introduce them to the accreditation process.


Standards of Practice and Education Committee

The Standards of Practice and Education Committee advises Council on the development and use of pre-service and in-service standards of practice, ethical standards and a professional learning framework to support the standards of practice.

Committee Activities

The College held province-wide consultations in October at nine English and French-language school boards across the province to gauge the level of awareness of the standards among teachers and administrators.

In 2001, the College made presentations on the standards to a number of visiting international delegations, including supervisory officers, directors of education and principals from the Netherlands, principals and vice-principals from the People’s Republic of China, senior staff from the General Teaching Council for England, and the Bedford-shire Schools Improvement Partnership of England.

The College began the process of revising the Additional Qualification guidelines to ensure currency, high quality and accessibility in AQ courses and programs across the province. Many of these guidelines were last revised in 1978.


The Investigation Committee

The Investigation Committee receives and investigates complaints of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity against members of the College. The Ontario College of Teachers Act requires the committee to reject complaints that are outside its jurisdiction or are frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process.

Committee Activities

Complaints and hearings have been increasing annually since the College was established, and that trend continued in 2001.

In 2001, as a result of concerns raised about members, 467 intake files were opened, a 31.5 per cent increase over the previous year. Of those, 119 became formal investigations.

During an investigation, College staff assess cases for suitability for the Dispute Resolution Program, an alternative way to address concerns. In 2001, 12 complaints were successfully resolved through dispute resolution.

Disposition of Complaints Number Percentage

Outside jurisdiction/frivolous, vexatious or abuse of process

59 30.9
Referred to Discipline Committee 41 21.5
Referred to Fitness to Practise Committee 0 0

Referred to Discipline Committee by Executive Committee

5 2.6
Not referred 28 14.7
Written caution/admonishment 8 4.2
Resolved through dispute resolution 12 6.3
Withdrawn/Abandoned 39 20.3
Total 192 100

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee hears complaints of alleged professional misconduct or incompetence. Complaints are referred to the committee by the Investigation Committee, the Council or the Executive Committee. Discipline hearings are open to the public and the resolution is published in the College’s quarterly magazine and on the College web site.

Committee Activities

In 2001, of the 26 members found guilty of professional misconduct, 11 had their licences revoked and four had their licences suspended. Of the remainder, there were eight reprimands and three fines; resignations were accepted from two members. Terms and conditions were imposed on one member’s licence.

Summary of the Dispositions  
Teaching Certificate Revoked 11
Resignation and Undertaking* 2
Terms and Conditions 1
Suspension 4
Reprimand 8
Reinstatement Denied 1
Some hearings continue into 2002

* Permitted to resign with signed undertaking never to teach again.


Registration Appeals Committee

The Registration Appeals Committee is a statutory committee that reviews appeals from applicants who are denied registration with the Ontario College of Teachers, or who have had restrictions placed upon their teaching certificate.

Committee Activities

During 2001, the Registration Appeals Committee reviewed 82 appeals. The committee members upheld the Registrar’s decision in 68 cases, but modified the Registrar’s decision in two cases and overturned the Registrar’s decision in four cases after receiving additional documentation from the applicants. One appellant withdrew his appeal so that the application could be reviewed in line with the new labour mobility provisions. Two additional cases were withdrawn and 11 cases remained on the appeals schedule for 2002.

One of the decisions of the Registration Appeals Panel Review Committee was appealed at the Divisional Court level and subsequently upheld. It was the particular factual merits of this case that persuaded the court to intervene. Legal counsel has indicated that because the court had not provided written reasons for the decision, no legal precedent had been created.

2001 Annual Report Statistics

Sources of this data are the Ontario College of Teachers membership registry, the financial records of the College, and the evaluation services files.

Membership in the College
(Includes members in Good Standing only)

Gender Language   % of Total Membership
Female English 120,242 65.6
Female French 8,344 04.5
Percentage of total membership 70.1
Male English 51,423 28.1
Male French 3,007 01.6
Percentage of total membership 29.7
Unreported English 223 0.12
Unreported French 4 <.01
Total   183,243  

Geographic Distribution

By Ontario College of Teachers Election Zones   %
North 15,531  
South East 31,308  
Central 70,362  
South West 60,724  
Ontario Total 177,925 97.1
Currently out-of-province 4,749  
Currently out-of-country 569  
Total 5,318 2.9
Total Membership 183,243  

Age Distribution of the College Membership

Age Range Male % Female % Unreported
20-30 5,793 03.1 20,436 11.1 146
31-40 13,331 07.3 32,358 17.6 60
41-50 13,558 07.4 33,805 17.9 19
51-60 19,059 10.4 38,440 21.0 2
>60 2,689 01.5 4,547 02.5 0
Total 54,430 29.7 128,586 70.1 227

Registration Summary

Ontario new graduates processed1 6,810
Out-of-province and out-of-country evaluations2 3,758
Interim Certificates of Qualification 3,068
Letters of Eligibility 493
Rejected applications 520
Letter of Eligibility to Interim Certificate of Qualification conversions 1,077
Interim Certificate extensions 210
Interim Certificate to Certificate of Qualification conversions 1,806
Temporary Letters of Approval 3 851
Appeals 88
Reassessments 27
Additional Qualifications processed 20,544
Additional Qualifications equivalents granted 184

1. Includes some 2000 teacher education graduates as well as 2001 graduates.

2. Rejected applications, Letters of Eligibility and interim certificates are contained within this total, where they fit into this category as well.

3. Total applications for a TLA received by the College in 2001. Applications may be for the 2000-2001 or the 2001-2002 school years.


The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee reviews and reports to the Council on all matters pertaining to the financial affairs of the College.

Committee Activities

Budget discussions were dominated by the issue of fee increases. The committee conducted a thorough review, considering the staff and other resources required to carry out the College’s responsibilities, and recommended that fees for specific activities be changed to reflect the costs associated with each activity.

Just as the Council was approving its 2002 budget with a fee increase designed to provide for College needs through 2004, the government introduced legislation making professional learning mandatory. Analysis of the costs indicated that it would have a very significant impact on the College’s longer term finances. A business plan for the Professional Learning Program submitted to the Minister of Education requested $8.3 million to cover the program’s startup costs and $10.2 million for operating costs at maturity.


March 13, 2002

Auditors’ Report

To the Members of the Ontario College of Teachers

We have audited the balance sheet of the Ontario College of Teachers as at December 31, 2001 and the statements of operations, members’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the College’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.

In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the College as at December 31, 2001 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Chartered Accountants

Balance Sheet
As at December 31, 2001 (in thousands of dollars)

  2001 2000
ASSETS    
Current assets    
Cash 459 1,069
Short-term investments – at cost, including accrued interest 4,706 6,009
Accounts receivable 261 253
Due from Ministry of Education – Professional Learning Program (note 3) 1,039
  6,465 7,331
Deferred election costs (note 2) 269 471
Deferred membership registration costs (note 2) 148 295
Capital assets (notes 2 and 4) 6,824 5,115
  13,706 13,212
LIABILITIES    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 2,208 1,926
Deferred revenue 298 207
  2,506 2,133
Deferred capital contribution (notes 2 and 3) 969
Deferred lease inducements (notes 2 and 6) 2,233 2,448
  5,708 4,581
MEMBERS' EQUITY (note 5)    
Invested in capital assets 3,622 2,667    
Internally restricted    
Reserve for working capital 3,133 3,133
Reserve for fee stabilization 412 2,000
Unappropriated balance 831 831
  7,998 8,631
  13,706 13,212

On behalf of the Council

Larry M. Capstick, Chair

J.W. Atkinson, Registrar

 

Statement of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2001 (in thousands of dollars)

  2001 2000
Revenue    
Annual membership fees 16,568 16,048
Other fees 1,427 1,139
Advertising 700 647
Special projects 258
Interest and other 718 731
  19,671 18,565
Expenses    
Employee compensation 9,281 8,333
Council and committees 267 266
General services to members 2,096 1,821
Professional Affairs 523 307
Investigations and Hearings 1,887 1,944
Operating support 4,901 4,882
Asset amortization 1,349 880
  20,304 18,433
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses for the year (633) 132

Statement of Members’ equity
For the year ended December 31, 2001 (in thousands of dollars)

Internally restricted funds
  Invested in capital assets (note 5) Reserve for working capital (note 5) Reserve for fee stabilization (note 5) Unappropriated (note 5) 2001 Total (note 5) 2000 Total (note 5)
Balance – Beginning of year 2,667 3,133 2,000 831 8,631 8,499
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses for the year (633) (633) 132
Investment in capital assets 955 (955)
Transfer (1,588) 1,588
Balance – End of year 3,622 3,133 412 831 7,998 8,631

Statement of Members’ equity
For the year ended December 31, 2001 (in thousands of dollars)

  2001 2000
Cash provided by (used in)    
Operating activities    
Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses for the year (633) 132
Add (deduct): Non-cash items reflected in operations    
Amortization of capital assets 1,000 650
Amortization of deferred membership registration costs 147 148
Amortization of deferred election costs 202 82
Amortization of deferred lease inducement (215) (208)
Amortization of capital contribution (70)
Changes in non-cash working capital items    
Accounts receivable (8) (92)
Due from Ministry of Education (1,039)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 282 467
Deferred revenue 91 179
  (243) 1,358
Investing activities    
Sale of short-term investments 1,303 337    
Leasehold improvements (1,089) (366)
Office furnishings and equipment (1,620) (478)
Deferred election costs (505)
  (1,406) (1,012)
Financing activities    
Repayment of capital lease obligations (97)
Deferred lease inducement 97
Ministry of Education capital contribution 1,039
  1,039
Increase (decrease) in cash during the year (610) 346
Cash – Beginning of year 1,069 723
Cash – End of year 459 1,069

Notes to financial statements
As at December 31, 2001 (tabular amounts in thousands of dollars)

1 Ontario College of Teachers’ mandate

The Ontario College of Teachers (the College) was established by an Act of the Ontario Legislature, which was proclaimed on July 5, 1996.

The College is an independent, self-regulating professional body with authority to license and regulate the practice of teaching in Ontario.

The affairs of the College are managed and administered by a Council comprised of 31 members, of whom 17 are elected by the membership and 14 are appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies

The financial statements of the College have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. The more significant aspects are:

Deferred election costs

Council elections are normally held every three years. The cost of conducting these elections is deferred and amortized over the term of the elected members.

Deferred membership registration costs

To establish an initial registry of members, the College launched a campaign to acquire names and addresses of Ontario teachers and validated eligibility against the Ministry of Education records. This initial cost is being amortized over six years, commencing in 1997.

Capital assets

Capital assets are recorded at historical cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Computer equipment 33-1/3% per annum

Furniture and office equipment 10% per annum

Leasehold improvements over the remaining term of the lease

Deferred capital contribution

Financial contributions that the College receives from the Ministry of Education for capital purchases associated with the Professional Learning Program are deferred and then recognized in revenue on the same basis as the amortization of the capital assets acquired.

Deferred lease inducements

As described in note 6, the College is amortizing the lease inducements over the term of the respective leases.

Income taxes

As a not-for-profit professional membership organization, the College is not liable for income taxes.

Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amounts of the College’s current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the near-term maturity of these financial instruments.

3 Professional Learning Program

The Stability and Excellence in Education Act, enacted on June 28, 2001, encompasses a Professional Learning Program which requires all members of the College to complete ongoing professional learning in order to maintain their licence to teach. Pursuant to this Act, the College is responsible for the implementation and administration of this program.

The Ministry of Education is providing $8 million in funding for this program, which will be applied to capital costs in 2001, and both capital and operating costs in 2002. In 2001, the College absorbed operating expenses of $664,874 associated with this program. Capital costs of $1,039,000 related to the program were also incurred, and are funded by the ministry’s contribution. At December 31, 2001, the College had an amount receivable of $1,039,000 from the Ministry of Education and a deferred capital contribution equal to the unamortized capital assets of $969,000.

4 Capital assets

      2001 2000
  Cost Accumulated amortization Net Net
Furniture 2,578 846 1,732 1,091
Office equipment 349 144 205 203
Computer equipment 1,747 915 832 417
Leasehold improvements 5,503 1,448 4,055 3,404
  10,177 3,353 6,824 5,115

The capital assets acquired by the College relate to office and meeting space at 121 Bloor Street East, Toronto.

5 Members’ equity

The members’ equity of the College is comprised of four components. Invested in capital assets relates to the capital assets of the College which are not funded by deferred lease contributions or by deferred capital contributions. The reserve for working capital has been established by the College in recognition of the need to provide working capital for continuing operations. The College also maintains a reserve for fee stabilization to help moderate the potential for fee increases in the immediate future. In 2001, the deficiency of revenue over expenses for the year and the investment in capital assets were funded from the reserve for fee stabilization. The unappropriated members’ equity represents the undesignated funds of the College.

6 Commitments

a) Premises lease commitment

In September 1996, the College entered into a long-term lease agreement, which expires November 30, 2012. The lease is for office space at 121 Bloor Street East, Toronto. In addition to a rent-free period until November 30, 1997 (valued at $615,300), the College obtained an allowance for leasehold improvements of $2,356,891, which is repayable out of rental payments.

In June 2000, the College acquired additional leased space at 121 Bloor Street East for a period to March 31, 2006, which includes a rent-free period valued at $97,000.

In November 2001, the College acquired additional leased space at 121 Bloor Street East for the period from January 1, 2002 to March 31, 2006.

The estimated annual rental payments, including a provision for operating costs under the lease agreements, are as follows:

Year ending December 31  
2002 1,734
2003 1,742
2004 1,751
2005 1,770
2006 1,581
2007 – 2012 (remaining term of leases) 8,638
  17,216

In accordance with guidance provided by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the College reports an average rental cost for premises over the term of the lease agreements and amortizes the benefits of the lease inducements over the same periods.

b) Other operating lease commitments

The College has entered into various operating lease commitments for computer hardware and office equipment.

The estimated annual payments for these operating lease commitments are as follows:

Year ending December 31  
2002 247
2003 51
2004 49
2005 24
  371

7 Pension plan

The College maintains a defined contribution pension plan for its eligible non-teacher employees. Teacher employees are eligible to participate in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. The College matches the contributions made by the employees to their respective plans. The College’s annual pension expense amounted to $500,688 (2000 - $406,534).

8 Comparative data

Certain of the comparative data has been reclassified to conform with the presentation followed in the 2001 financial statements.



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