Accreditation Committee Decision
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto
— Programs of Professional Education
Introduction
Decision of the Accreditation Committee regarding the Concurrent Program of Professional Education proposed to be offered by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT)
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) submitted an application in May 2006 for initial accreditation of a proposed Concurrent Program of Professional Education, with Primary/Junior and Intermediate/Senior areas of concentration.
The Accreditation Committee appointed a panel to:
- conduct a review of the programs,
- act in an advisory role
- report to the Accreditation Committee on its findings and
- make recommendations to the Accreditation Committee with respect to the accreditation of OISE/UT’s Program of Professional Education.
The panel included three members of Council who were also members of the Accreditation Committee, (one of these was appointed to the Council by the Lieutenant Governor in Council), a member of the College who was not a member of Council, a person nominated by OISE/UT and a person drawn from a roster who had expertise in teacher education programs.
The panel reviewed documentation provided by OISE/UT, conducted an on-site review, reviewed artefacts, conducted interviews with various stakeholders. The on-site visit took place on June 24, 2006.
The Accreditation Committee, by virtue of the authority granted under the Ontario College of Teachers Act 1996 and Section 5 of Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, set out to determine if the concurrent program of professional education offered by OISE/UT qualified for accreditation by satisfying the 15 requirements of Regulation 347/02.
The Accreditation Committee considered the final report of the accreditation panel, the response of OISE/UT dated August 18, 2006 to the panel’s draft report, and regulatory requirements of Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, and Regulation 184/97, Teachers’ Qualifications. Based on its review of this information, the Accreditation Committee decides the following.
Accreditation of Programs of Professional Education
Requirement 1
The provider of the program is a permitted institution.
Finding
OISE/UT is a faculty of the University of Toronto, which is authorized to offer degrees under the University of Toronto Act, 1971. OISE and the Faculty of Education were integrated within the University of Toronto as of July 1, 1996 into a new professional faculty under the name of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.
Conclusion
Requirement 1 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 2
The program has a clearly delineated conceptual framework.
Findings
The conceptual framework of the proposed Concurrent Teacher Education Program (CTEP) is an expansion of the existing OISE/UT teacher education framework. The seven goals and principles formed the basis for the CTEP design. These include special characteristics for the CTEP conceptual framework such as the introduction to educational concepts early in the program, early introduction to field experiences, and extension of teacher education to the faculties, colleges and campuses who are partners with OISE/UT.
The conceptual framework was clearly delineated in the documentation, the artefacts and in the interviews.
Conclusion
Requirement 2 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 3
The program is consistent with and reflects,
- the College’s “Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession” and “the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession”,
- current research in teacher education, and
- the integration of theory and practice in teacher education.
Findings
The proposal aims to reflect both the Standards of Practice and the Ethical standards throughout the program, with the design guided by the Standards.
OISE/UT staff undertook considerable research in developing a program that combined learning from the various participating faculties as well as building on current research in teacher education.
Frequent opportunities will be provided for teacher candidates to observe, interact and practice in schools, followed by reflection on these experiences in light of theory and research covered in coursework.
Conclusion
Requirement 3 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 4
The program curriculum is current, references the Ontario curriculum, includes the application of current research in teacher education and represents a wide knowledge base in the divisions and components of the program.
Findings
Course outlines of the proposed program link content to mandated Ontario curriculum expectations, which are specifically referenced.
The Design Committee examined considerable research and other concurrent programs in search of best practice.
The proposed program will be delivered by faculty and subject specialists in a broad range of disciplines, divisions and methodologies.
Conclusion
Requirement 4 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 5
The course content of the program includes theory, method and foundation courses and makes appropriate provision for the application of theory in practice.
Findings
Theory methods and foundation courses are included.
Observation and practice teaching experiences are designed to apply theoretical knowledge to the classroom.
Conclusion
Requirement 5 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 6
The program’s format and structure are appropriate for the course content.
Findings
The program’s format and structure are appropriate for the course content. Teacher candidates in the program will begin thinking about their careers as educators through undergraduate discipline based courses as well as professional bachelor of education courses.
The field experiences in years 1, 2 and 3 paired with particular courses such as child and adolescent development in education bring candidates into the school community early in the program allowing them to observe theory in practice.
This integrated approach of course work and field experiences will provide teacher candidates with an early introduction to a teaching career.
Conclusion
Requirement 6 is fully satisfied based on the information provided and evidence considered.
Requirement 7
Students are assessed and informed of their progress on an ongoing basis throughout the program.
Findings
Each of the proposed required and elective course outlines provided in the documentation includes assessment and evaluation components. Assessment methods include reflective writing projects, case studies, presentation and culminating assignments. Teacher candidates will be evaluated at multiple points in their practica and will be required to develop and maintain a professional portfolio throughout the five years of the program
Conclusion
Requirement 7 is fully satisfied based on the information provided and evidence considered.
Requirement 8
The program includes a practicum that satisfies the requirements set out Regulation 347/02, Subsection 9.(2). The requirements for the practicum portion of the program are as follows:
- The practicum must include observation and practice teaching in an instructional setting in schools or other situations that use the Ontario curriculum or in situations approved by the College.
- The practicum must be completed in accordance with the requirements of Ontario Regulation 184/97.
- The practicum enables every student to participate in settings related to each division and at least one of the subject areas of the program that are relevant to the student.
- An experienced teacher supervises the students and assesses their practicum.
- A faculty member is appointed as an advisor for each student.
Findings
Teacher candidates will be required to complete 60 days of evaluated practica in Ontario schools or in situations that use the Ontario curriculum. They will complete separate practicum placements in each of their respective divisions and in at least one of their teachable subjects. An experienced associate teacher will supervise all teacher candidates. Faculty instructors from OISE/UT will be responsible for teacher candidates in their practice experience.
Conclusion
Requirement 8 is fully satisfied based on the information provided and evidence considered.
Requirement 9
Successful completion of the practicum is a requirement for successful completion of the program.
Findings
Documentation stipulated, and interviews confirmed, that successful completion of the two practicum sessions is a requirement for the BEd degree and recommendation to the Ontario College of Teachers for certification.
Conclusion
Requirement 9 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 10
The teaching method courses in the program are appropriate in relation to the divisions to which they relate.
Findings
The documentation provided a list of appropriate teaching method courses for each division. These courses included content relevant to the primary/junior and intermediate/senior divisions.
Conclusion
Requirement 10 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 11
The teaching theory and foundation courses in the program include courses on human development and learning and on the legislation and government policies relating to education.
Findings
Teacher candidates will take two courses in human development and psychology, which are sequential and complementary to impart understanding psychological factors’ influence on student learning and motivation and on the learning environment.
Content and instruction on the legislation and government policies related to education are woven into the program through many courses.
Conclusion
Requirement 11 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 12
The faculty members teaching the program are an appropriate combination of,
- persons with appropriate academic qualifications,
- practitioners with appropriate experience in the field of education, and
- persons with appropriate expertise in the divisions and components of the program.
Findings
Faculty profiles and curriculum vitae displayed an appropriate combination of academic qualifications and professional practice including experience and expertise in the various divisions and components of the program.
Conclusion
Requirement 12 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 13
The permitted institution maintains adequate internal controls to preserve the integrity of student records relating to the program.
Findings
The OISE/UT Advisory Board includes a range of educational stakeholders. This Board serves as trustee of the mission of OISE/UT, advises and assists OISE/UT in fulfilling its mandate and mission, and reviews the annual report of the Minister and members’ recommendations concerning its acceptance to the Governing Council.
In addition, other committees also advise and support specific aspects of the proposed programs, such as curriculum, pedagogy, practica, program review, and professional preparation.
Conclusion
Requirement 13 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 14
The permitted institution is committed to continuous improvement and quality assurance of the program and, if the program is an existing program, has implemented measures demonstrating that commitment.
Findings
Available resources are updated and upgraded through course surveys and evaluation plans to monitor the program. The University is also providing financial resources to facilitate the continuous improvement and quality assurance of the program as it develops and is initiated.
Conclusion
Requirement 14 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 15
The program has a Teacher Education Advisory Committee or similar body that functions in an advisory or liaison capacity in relation to the program.
Findings
The OISE/UT Advisory Board includes a range of educational stakeholders, and:
- acts as trustees of the mission of OISE/UT;
- advises and assists OISE/UT in fulfilling its mandate and mission; and
- reviews the annual report of the Minister and make a recommendation concerning its acceptance to the Governing Council.
As well, other committees have been developed to advise and support various aspects of the proposed program.
Conclusion
Requirement 15 is fully satisfied.
Decision
For the reasons set out above, the Accreditation Committee finds that the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto’s proposed Concurrent Program of Professional Education fully satisfies the requirements of Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, and grants initial accreditation for a period of 6 years (2012), the period of time ending on the graduation of the second class of students enrolled in the program, not to exceed six years.
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
October 17, 2006
Amendment to Expiry Date
On June 23, 2009, the Accreditation Committee and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, (OISE/UT) agreed to extend the initial accreditation period for this program of professional education to October 6, 2013 to enable all accredited programs at the institution to have a harmonized expiry date.
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
June 23, 2009
Pursuant to Section 15.2(1) of the Accreditation Regulation, the Accreditation Committee granted an extension of accreditation to this program until October 6, 2016 to enable time to implement the new enhanced teacher education program required in September 2015.
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
November 19, 2013
Expiry of Accreditation
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) advised the Ontario College of Teachers of its intent to cease to provide the concurrent program of professional education with areas of study in the Primary/Junior and Intermediate/Senior divisions, leading to a Bachelor of Education degree. Pursuant to subsection 20(4) of the Accreditation Regulation, the Accreditation Committee revoked accreditation of this program effective September 1, 2015. In accordance with subsection 22(2), the program is deemed accredited for candidates who are currently enrolled.
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
May 26, 2015
