Certification

Recent Changes · 2007

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2007

Changes effective September 7, 2007

Members should apply for re-evaluation using Certification Application Form 2 to determine if there is any changes to their Group placement or to their requirements for movement to higher Groups.

The September 1, 2007 Certification Rating Statement will be recognized starting in the 2007/2008 school year only if it is forwarded to the school board by the member within the board’s timelines.

Changes to Courses Recognized for In-The-Discipline Purposes

Effective September 1, 2007 the following changes take effect for recognition of the In-The-Discipline requirements for the identified Additional Qualifications courses:

Computer Studies
  • related diplomas and certificates may be considered on a pro-rated basis
 
Dance
  • Physical Education/Kinesiology (related to the study of dance) replaces Physical Education (related to the study of dance)
 
Environmental Science
  • add Biotechnology and Meteorology
 
Primary Education
  • add Reading Part 1, Reading Part 2 and Reading Part 3
 
Junior Education
  • add Reading Part 1, Reading Part 2 and Reading Part 3
 
Intermediate Education
  • add Reading Part 1, Reading Part 2 and Reading Part 3
 
Science In Primary and Junior Education
  • add Geology
 
Mathematics In Primary and Junior Education
  • remove Mathematics Electives

Changes to the Honour Technological Studies Specialist Program

Effective September 1, 2007, the following changes will take effect:

  1. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License issued by Transport Canada will be considered equivalent to 3 acceptable full courses.

  2. The courses within a post-secondary Certificate program which form the in-school training portion of Apprenticeship will be accepted for up-grading provided the hours of duration are 75 hours for full course credits or 40 hours for half course credits. These courses cannot be used in combination with the Trade Certificate of Apprenticeship and Certification of Qualification for upgrading purposes as per CERT Reg. 3 ( ... no qualification may receive duplicate recognition)

  3. Teachers with undergraduate and post-graduate university degrees may have an opportunity for placement in Group 4 through recognition of their post-graduate degree.

Recognition of Drake University Courses

ETFO courses offered through Drake University were no longer recognized for Certification purposes as of February 15, 2005. ETFO courses completed after February 15, 2005 were recognized if course approval had been sought and received prior to February 15, 2005. However, some members may also have been refused recognition for ETFO courses completed prior to February 15, 2005.

All ETFO courses offered through Drake University and fully completed prior to February 15, 2005 will receive recognition by the Certification Department for up-grading purposes. Any member wishing to have their file re-evaluated for retroactive recognition must submit official transcripts and Application Form #2 by December 21, 2007. Re-evaluation after that date will be on a go-forward basis only.

Amendments to the Regulations – AMPA 2007

CERT 215

This amendment expands the recognition of AQ courses for use in progressing from Groups 1 or 2 to Group 3 .  Now AQs from  all Faculties of Education in Ontario (including Western, York, OISE/U of T, and Queen’s) will count as acceptable courses.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT. Reg. 2.1.8 be amended by the addition of a new section that reads:
 
“2.1.8.2 “Additional qualification” courses shall be considered as acceptable courses provided they are completed at an Ontario university Faculty of Education and appear on a university transcript showing the grade and credit value.”

CERT 217-07

This change allows undergraduate courses in subject areas  such as Media, Women’s Studies, and Arts & Sciences (which are not referenced among the traditional “teachables” in the Ontario College of Teachers Act - Regulation 184 - Schedule E)  to be recognized for Group placement.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT. Reg. 2.1.15 be amended by the addition of a new section that reads:
 
“2.1.15.2 "Single subject area” refers to courses bearing the same subject codes or labels as shown on an official transcript issued by the university concerned.”

CERT 218-07

This amended chart creates many new options for advancement to higher Groups under the Honour Specialist program including (but not limited to):

  • use of post-graduate degrees to move to Group 4
  • use of AQ courses as acceptable courses
  • wider recognition of Master’s of Education degrees
  • use of college diplomas for advancement to higher groups
BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT Reg. 16 be amended by deletion of the entire regulation and all its subsections and with insertion of the following to read:
 
“CERT Reg. 16 HONOUR SPECIALIST PROGRAM Chart 1
16 All Members with an acceptable university degree and in possession of an acceptable post-graduate degree or working towards the Honour Specialist qualification will use the following chart:
 
16.1 GROUP 1
16.1.1 Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree (pass standing)
 
16.2 GROUP 2
16.2.1 (a) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate university degree, pass standing (excluding teacher training)
   
or
16.2.2 (b) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (four (4) full courses in each area)
   
or
16.2.3 (c) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree (pass standing) plus one of the following:
16.2.3.1   (i) three (3) additional full university courses
16.2.3.2   (ii) three (3) Additional Qualification courses completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education
16.2.3.3   (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to a total of three (3) full courses
16.2.3.4   (iv) three (3) year Diploma, pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology, Chiropractic College
 
16.3 GROUP 3
16.3.1 (a) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate university degree, second class standing (excluding teacher training)
     
or
16.3.2 (b) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable undergraduate university degree plus an Honour Specialist qualification
     
or
16.3.3 (c) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable undergraduate university degree with the Advanced Academic Accreditation with nine (9) full university courses (second class average) in a single specified subject area* or 14 full university courses (second class average) in two specified subject areas* with no fewer than 6 full university courses in each area
     
or
16.3.4 (d) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate university degree, pass standing (excluding teacher training) plus one of the following:
16.3.4.1   (i) five (5) Additional Qualifications completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education
16.3.4.2   (ii) five (5) additional full university courses (second class average)
16.3.4.3   (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to a total of five (5) full courses
16.3.4.4   (iv) three (3) year Diploma, pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology, Chiropractic College
16.3.5 (e) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area ** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (four (4) full courses in each area) plus one of the following:
16.3.5.1   (i) five (5) Additional Qualifications completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education
16.3.5.2   (ii) five (5) additional full university courses (second class average)
16.3.5.3   (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to a total of five (5) full courses
16.3.5.4   (iv) three (3) year Diploma, pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology, Chiropractic College
 
16.4 GROUP 4
16.4.1 (a) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate university degree, second class standing (excluding teacher training) plus an Honour Specialist qualification
     
or
16.4.2 (b) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable undergraduate university degree with the Advanced Academic Accreditation plus an Honour Specialist qualification
     
or
16.4.3 (c) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate degree, second class standing (excluding teacher training) plus the following:
16.4.3.1   (i) Acceptable Master’s degree at the post graduate level (exclusive of teacher training) or PhD
     
or
16.4.4 (d) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area ** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (four (4) full courses in each area) excluding teacher training, plus the following:
16.4.4.1   (i) Acceptable Master’s degree at the post graduate level (exclusive of teacher training) or PhD
16.4.4.2   (ii) two (2) additional full university courses (second class average) which may include Additional Qualification courses from an Ontario Faculty of Education
     
or
16.4.5 (e) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area ** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (four (4) full courses in each area) excluding teacher training, plus the following:
16.4.5.1   (i) Acceptable Master’s degree at the post graduate level which includes teacher training
16.4.5.2   (ii) 2.5 additional full university courses at the post graduate level (second class average)
     
or
16.4.6 (f) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree (pass standing) plus the following:
16.4.6.1   (i) Acceptable Master’s degree at the post graduate level which includes teacher training
16.4.6.2   (ii) 2.5 additional full university courses at the post graduate level (second class average)
16.4.6.3   (iii) two (2) additional full university courses (second class average) which may include Additional Qualification courses from an Ontario Faculty of Education
     
or
16.4.7 (g) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate degree, pass standing (excluding teacher training) plus the following:
16.4.7.1   (i) Acceptable Master’s degree at the post graduate level which includes teacher training
    (ii) two (2) additional full university courses (second class average) at the post graduate level
16.5 “University course” shall be as defined in CERT Reg. 2.1.8.1 or CERT Reg.2.1.8.2.
 
*See CERT Reg.2.1.15.1
**See CERT Reg.2.1.15.2"

CERT 219-07

The amended Three-Session Specialist chart has many additional options for progressing to higher Groups.  The number of required “in-the-discipline” courses have been reduced for groups 2,3, and 4.  There is now a wider ability to use AQ courses, CAAT diplomas, and Chiropractic diplomas for Group advancement.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT Reg. 16 be amended by deletion of the entire regulation and all its subsections and with insertion of the following to read:
 
BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT Reg. 17 be amended by deletion of the entire regulation and all its subsections and with insertion of the following to read:
“CERT Reg 17 THREE SESSION SPECIALIST PROGRAM Chart 2
17 All Members in possession of or working towards the Three Session Specialist qualification will use the following chart:
 
17.1 GROUP 1
17.1.1 Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers
 
17.2 GROUP 2
17.2.1 No discipline courses are required for Group 2
17.2.2
Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree (pass standing) plus Parts 1 and 2 of a Three Session Program leading to a Specialist qualification.
 
17.3 GROUP 3
17.3.1 At least two (2) full university courses in the discipline of the Three Session Specialist qualification must be included for Group 3.
17.3.2 (a) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree (pass standing) plus Parts 1 and 2 of a Three Session Program leading to a Specialist qualification plus one of the following:
17.3.2.1   (i) five (5) Additional Qualifications completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education
17.3.2.2   (ii) five (5) additional full university courses (second class average)
17.3.2.3   (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii) to a total of five (5) full courses
17.3.2.4   (iv) three (3) year Diploma, pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology Chiropractic College
     
or
17.3.3 (b) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree, pass standing plus a Three Session Specialist qualification plus two (2) additional full university courses, second class average
     
or
17.3.4 (c) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate university degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject ** area or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (four (4) full courses in each area) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification
     
or
17.3.5 (d) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate university degree, pass standing (excluding teacher training) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification
 
17.4 GROUP 4
17.4.1 At least four (4) full university courses in the discipline of the Three Session Specialist qualification must be included for Group 4
17.4.2 (a) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate degree, second class standing (excluding teacher training) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification
     
or
17.4.3 (b) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable undergraduate degree with the Advanced Academic Accreditation and a concentration of five (5) full university courses in a single subject area** or eight (8) full university courses in two (2) subject areas (4 full courses in each area) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification
     
or
17.4.4 (c) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (4 full courses in each area) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification plus one of the following:
17.4.4.1   (i) three (3) year Diploma, pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology Chiropractic College
17.4.4.2   (ii) a second Three Session Specialist qualification
     
or
17.4.5 (d) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable three (3) year undergraduate degree (pass standing) plus a Three Session Specialist plus one of the following:
17.4.5.1   (i) two (2) full university courses (second class average) plus an acceptable three (3) year Diploma pass standing (exclusive of the undergraduate degree). An acceptable Diploma includes but is not limited to one completed at a C.A.A.T., Institute of Technology, Chiropractic College
17.4.5.2   (ii) two (2) full university courses (second class average) plus a second Three Session Specialist
17.4.5.3   (iii) two (2) full university courses (second class average) plus five (5) Additional Qualifications completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education or five (5) additional university courses (second class average) or a combination of Additional Qualifications and university courses (second class average) to a total of five (5) full courses
17.4.6 (e) Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers with an acceptable four (4) year undergraduate degree with the Advanced Academic Accreditation with a concentration of five (5) full university courses (second class average) in a single subject area ** or eight (8) full university courses (second class average) in two (2) subject areas (4 full courses in each area) plus a Three Session Specialist qualification
 
17.5 ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE COURSES FOR THE THREE SESSION SPECIALIST PROGRAM
 
17.5.1 There may be acceptable alternate courses which meet the discipline course requirements for Chart 2. However, they may not be considered to be university courses as defined in CERT Reg.2.1.8.1 or 2.1.8.2. For a course to be acceptable, it must meet the following conditions:
17.5.1.1 the course must have been accepted by the Certification Council after submission of the course criteria;
17.5.1.2 the grade obtained must be of at least second class standing;
17.5.1.3 the course must have a minimum of ninety hours duration for full credit or forty-five hours duration for half credit;
17.5.1.4 a formalized evaluation of the participant’s achievement must be part of each course;
17.5.1.5 the credit value and grade of the course must be indicated by an official transcript or diploma from the institution offering the course;
17.5.1.6 the course must be offered by a recognized educational institution and must form part of an accepted program of studies leading to a post-secondary diploma or certificate;
17.5.1.7 the course should contribute to the teacher’s professional improvement within the parameters of the secondary school curriculum;
 
17.5.2 enquiries regarding the acceptability of alternate courses must be made in writing to the Certification Division of OSSTF.
17.5.3 It shall be the responsibility of Certification Council to provide lists of acceptable discipline courses for use with Chart 2. These will be published from time to time in a manner accessible to the Membership.
17.5.4 “University course” shall be as defined in CERT Reg.2.1.8.1 or CERT Reg.2.1.8.2 **See CERT Reg.2.1.15.2.”

CERT 220-07

The amended Honour Technological Studies Specialist chart provides new options for technological studies teachers to progress to higher Groups.  Completion of the Three-Session Specialist can now be used by tech teachers to move to Group 4.  Single college courses that meet the course length requirements in CERT. Reg 18.5.2.2 can also now be counted for Group placement.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT CERT Reg. 18 be amended by deletion of the entire regulation and all its subsections and with insertion of the following to read:
 
“CERT Reg. 18 HONOUR TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES SPECIALIST PROGRAM Chart 3
 
18 All Members in possession of Technological Studies qualifications on a valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers will use the following chart:
 
18.1 GROUP 1
18.1.1 Valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers
 
18.2 GROUP 2
18.2.1 A Technological Studies qualification entry on a valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers plus one of the following:
18.2.1.1

(i) three (3) acceptable full courses* exclusive of courses taken at a C.A.A.T. used towards the Certificate of Apprenticeship**
18.2.1.2   (ii) a Certificate of Qualification** with Red Seal (for interprovincial standing) see Notes for Chart 3
 
18.2 GROUP 3
18.3.1 (a) Group 2 plus one of the following:
18.3.1.1   (i) three (3) acceptable full courses* exclusive of courses taken at a C.A.A.T. used towards the Certificate of Apprenticeship**
18.3.1.2   (ii) a Certificate of Qualification** with Red Seal (for interprovincial standing) see Notes for Chart 3
     
or
18.3.2 (b) A Technological Studies qualification entry on a valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers plus the following:
18.3.2.1   (i) an acceptable Professional Appellation
 
18.4 GROUP 4
18.4.1 A Three Session Specialist or Honour Technological Studies Specialist entered on a valid teaching Certificate issued by the Ontario College of Teachers plus Group 3(a) or 3(b)
 
18.5 *REQUIREMENTS FOR COURSES FOR CHART 3
18.5.1 The course must meet the following conditions:
18.5.1.1 the course must have been accepted by the Certification division after submission of the course criteria;
18.5.2.2 the course must have a minimum of seventy-five hours duration for full credit or forty hours duration for half credit;
18.5.2.3 a formalized evaluation of the participant must be part of each course;
18.5.2.4 the credit value and grade of a course must be indicated by an official transcript or diploma from the institution offering the course;
18.5.2.5 the course must be offered by a recognized educational institution and must form part of an accepted program of studies leading to a post-secondary diploma or post-secondary Certificate.
 
18.6 ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE COURSES FOR THE HONOUR TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES SPECIALIST PROGRAM
18.6.1 Acceptable Professional Appellations applicable to this Chart are: R.C.A. (Associate of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts) and P.Eng. (Professional Engineer).
18.6.2 Additional Basic Qualifications completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education may be considered for Groups 2, 3 or 4 but any used for admission to the Honour Technological Studies Specialist must be replaced with equivalent courses before using the Specialist for Group 4.
18.6.3 Additional qualifications may be considered for upgrading provided they are completed at an Ontario Faculty of Education and an official transcript is submitted.
18.6.4 Ontario Academic Course credits may be considered for upgrading provided they are in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
18.6.5 Ontario Grade 13 courses and/or Grade 12 U/M courses may be considered for upgrading purposes.
18.6.6 A Certificate of Qualification** with a Red Seal (for interprovincial standing) shall be deemed equivalent to 3 full courses. Individually, a Certificate of Apprenticeship** is equivalent to 1 full course and a Certificate of Qualification is equivalent to 1 full course.
18.6.7 “University course” shall be as defined in CERT Reg.2.1.8.1 or CERT Reg.2.1.8.2.”
 
**Issued by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities