College formalizes certification requirements related to Ontario’s Enhanced Teacher Education plans
February 07 2014
The Council of the Ontario College of Teachers recently approved changes to regulations to certify teachers affected by Ontario’s Enhanced Teacher Education Program.
The requirements, which will amend College legislation, spell out what teachers who apply to the College will need in order to be certified when the new program takes effect on September 1, 2015.
The changes affect:
- new teachers coming from Ontario faculties of education
- applicants from outside Canada
- teacher education graduates from Ontario’s faculties who have never applied to the College for certification.
The new requirements include:
- longer program duration (four semesters up from two)
- longer practicum (80 days up from 40)
- additional program content.
Teachers who are currently certified and frequently augment their initial teacher education through ongoing professional development, Additional Qualification courses and in-service learning will not be affected by the enhanced program requirements.
“We’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Education and the faculties to develop an enriched program to prepare teachers for the demands of teaching and learning in the contemporary context.” says College CEO and Registrar Michael Salvatori, OCT. “These requirements ensure that all applicants certified by the College meet Ontario’s high standards for excellence in teaching that our students deserve.”
“The College takes its role as the licensing body for teachers in Ontario seriously. The new requirements address the needs that teachers have long expressed to enhance their knowledge and skills as professionals."
