Teacher Certification in Alberta. February 2017

Transcription

1 Teacher Certification in Alberta February 2017

2 Supreme Court of Canada, 1996 Teachers hold a special role in the life of young people. In our society the role of teacher is second in importance only to the parent.

3 Alberta Teacher Certification All teachers in Alberta s schools must hold Alberta certification. (S.92 School Act) Alberta s education system includes: o Public schools o Separate schools (Roman Catholic) o Francophone schools o Charter Schools o Accredited Private Schools and ECS operators o First Nations (Band) Schools o Alberta Accredited International Schools

4 Alberta Teacher Certification Teaching Excellence and Certification Branch, which is part of the Office of the Registrar at Alberta Education, is responsible for issuing teaching authority in Alberta. Alberta Education School Authority Alberta Teachers Association Teacher Certification Employment Contracts Salary Qualifications

5 The School Act In accordance with Section 92 of the School Act, all teachers must hold a valid teaching certificate before taking on the role and responsibilities of a teacher. Obtaining certification is the responsibility of the individual teacher.

6 The School Act Section 18 of the School Act outlines the roles and responsibilities of teachers. Section 20 of the School Act outlines the roles and responsibilities of principals.

7 Teaching Quality Standard Key document guiding certification in Alberta Key principle: Quality teaching is built on a solid foundation of Knowledge, Skills and Attributes (KSAs)

8 Teaching Quality Standard The KSAs aim to guide: teacher preparation institutions in preparing education students with the competencies they need to teach beginning and experienced teachers in their professional growth

9 Teaching Quality Standard Interim Professional Certification Applicants: declare commitment to applying the appropriate KSAs toward student learning as described by the Teaching Quality Standard Ministerial Order (016/97)

10 Teacher Growth, Supervision and Evaluation Policy Teachers are responsible and accountable for: meeting the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS); developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on his/her individual annual professional growth plan; and participating in supervision, evaluation and (as appropriate) remediation activities.

11 Requirements for Certification 1. Evidence of being qualified professionally 2. Evidence of right to employment 3. Evidence of being a Fit and Proper Person 4. Currency

12 Evidence of Being Qualified Professionally qualifies for certification Dean s recommendation attests graduate s program fosters ability and commitment to use reasoned judgment in applying the TQS demonstrates, within practicum, appropriate application of KSAs for commencement of professional practice

13 Evidence of Being Qualified Professionally Dean s Recommendation Alberta Education issues Interim Professional Certificate Dean s recommendation valid for ten (10) years Graduates advised to apply for Interim Professional Certificate within ten (10) years)

14 Evidence of Right to Employment Evidence of eligibility to work in Canada includes: o Canadian Citizenship o Permanent Resident Status o Work Permit

15 Evidence of being a Fit and Proper Person Teachers are not able to "choose which hat they will wear on what occasion. Teachers do not check their teaching hats at the school yard gate and may be perceived to be wearing their teaching hats even off duty. - Supreme Court of Canada Ross v. New Brunswick School District 1996

16 Evidence of being a Fit and Proper Person Evidence of being a Fit and Proper Person o Self-disclosure o Current criminal record check including a vulnerable sector check

17 Currency Certification applicants must provide evidence of an approved teacher preparation program within the last ten (10) years.

18 Interim Professional Certificate valid for three years from date of issuance may be re-issued every three years upon recommendation by a school authority

19 Statement of Professional Standing IMPORTANT Apply for the Interim Professional Certificate approximately six to eight weeks prior to the completion of your program if you intend to teach in Alberta or elsewhere. You must hold teacher certification in Alberta to receive a Statement of Professional Standing. Statement of Professional Standing: verifies for certification offices outside of Alberta that you possess a valid Alberta teaching certificate and are in good standing.

20 Certification Application Process

21 Qualification for Permanent Professional Certification A teacher must: receive at least two successful evaluations based on the KSAs for permanent certification as outlined in the Teaching Quality Standard receive a recommendation from a recognized signing authority based on the teacher s classroom practice have taught the approved curriculum in an approved Alberta setting for 2 years

22 Teacher Workforce Information System (TWINS) & Self-Service

23 TWINS Self-Service Voluntary Aboriginal Self-identification: Teachers and applicants can self-identify as First Nation, Metis and Inuit (FNMI). This information will be used to determine provincial First Nation, Metis and Inuit teacher workforce numbers for forecasting and planning purposes to support First Nation, Metis and Inuit learner success. FAQ regarding this data collection initiative can be found at: /faq/teachers/fnmiintwins/

24 Temporary Teaching Authority

25 Temporary Teaching Authority Alberta students, graduating from an Alberta-approved teacher preparation program, who are offered employment upon program completion, may be able to work as teachers for 90 days while the Registrar of Alberta Education awaits the Dean s recommendation for certification.

26 Temporary Teaching Authority Alberta graduates will be required to acquire letters from the Registrar of Alberta Education, an employer and the faculty of education, in that order: o letter from the Registrar of Alberta Education citing satisfaction that all application requirements, excluding the Dean s attestation, have been successfully met; o letter from an Employer stating that the graduate has been offered employment; and o letter from the Dean of Education stating that the graduate will receive attestation for certification. When all letters have been obtained by the Alberta graduate, the employer is able to allow the individual to enter the classroom.

27 Professional Designation - Responsibilities Once you are issued an Alberta teaching certificate, you are considered to be a professional teacher; and your conduct is governed by the Practice Review of Teachers Regulation. Should you obtain employment in one of Alberta s public, separate, or Francophone schools, your conduct will then be governed by the Alberta Teachers Association s Code of Professional Conduct while employed in one of these schools.

28 Thank you!