Accreditation Committee Decision
University of Windsor — Faculty of Education Programs of Professional Education
Introduction
Decision of the Accreditation Committee regarding the Programs of Professional Education offered by the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education
The University of Windsor's Faculty of Education submitted an application in November 2004 for:
- Accreditation Renewal of a Concurrent Bachelor of Education Program and a Consecutive Bachelor of Education Program.
- Initial accreditation of a Program of Technological Studies.
The Accreditation Committee appointed a panel:
- to conduct a review of the programs,
- to act in an Advisory role,
- to report to the Accreditation Committee on its findings and
- to make recommendations to the Accreditation Committee with respect to the accreditation of the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education's Programs of Professional Education.
The panel of six persons was comprised of three members of Council who were also members of the Accreditation Committee (one of these members 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 the Faculty of Education and a person drawn from a roster who had expertise in technological education.
The panel, in carrying out its duties, reviewed documentation provided by the Faculty of Education, conducted an on-site review which included, an examination of the artifacts and displays in an exhibits room, interviews with representatives of all stakeholder groups and a review of the facilities and resources.
The on-site review took place April 18-22, 2005 at the University of Windsor and related partnership locations. It should be noted that tentative dates for the review were established in both October of 2004 and December of 2004. The review had to be postponed until April of 2005 due to labor unrest during the originally scheduled periods.
There was only one submission from the public, a presentation by the Institute of Catholic Education delivered by the Director of the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.
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 Programs of Professional Education offered by the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education and the proposed Program of Technological Studies 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 the Faculty of Education, University of Windsor dated July 11, 2005 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 Renewal of a Concurrent Bachelor of Education Program and a Consecutive Bachelor of Education Program
Requirement 1
The provider of the program is a permitted institution.
Finding
The University of Windsor is authorized to offer degrees under The University of Windsor Act, 1962-63 that subsequently established the Faculty of Education. As a result, and in accordance with subsection 1(1) of Ontario Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, the Faculty of Education satisfies the requirements of being a permitted institution.
Conclusion
Requirement 1 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 2
The program has a clearly delineated conceptual framework.
Findings
A clearly delineated conceptual framework was evident which applied to all programs of professional education. Underpinning this framework was the Faculty's mission statement. The mission statement and supporting framework were developed through collaborative discussion at faculty retreats. There is a commitment to student-centered active learning, authentic activities and to the integration of prior learning. The mission statement of the Faculty and its concomitant objectives are stated and infused within all aspects of the programs.
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 Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession and the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession infuse all courses and teacher candidates' experiences. In addition, the Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession is presented in course 301, Organization and Management in the Schools. As well, consecutive students review the Standards of Practice with their faculty advisors before going out on the first practicum placement.
The Faculty is kept current with opportunities for personal professional learning through a faculty professional development fund.
Linking theory to practice is a central tenet of the teacher education program. The integration of theory to practice was evident within all methods and foundation courses, at all levels.
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
Evidence was found throughout the written submissions, in the dedicated classrooms and in interviews with candidates. Course outlines, interviews with the Dean, Associate Dean, faculty members and teacher candidates also confirmed that candidates were exposed to a broad and integrated knowledge base.
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
Information was received from documents provided by the Faculty and interviews with faculty members who taught the methods and foundations courses. A comprehensive display of materials produced by faculty members was reviewed in an Exhibits Room and information provided in classrooms dedicated to each curriculum area was examined.
Conclusion
Requirement 5 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 6
The program's format and structure are appropriate for the course content.
Findings
The program as set out in the documentation is appropriate for all divisions. In both the consecutive and concurrent programs, teacher candidates complete foundation, methods and practicum courses, which are geared to the Primary/Junior, Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior divisions. Consecutive candidates' classes are all held during the day in dedicated classrooms.
Conclusion
Requirement 6 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 7
Students are assessed and informed of their progress on an ongoing basis throughout the program.
Findings
Evident in the course outlines was the process for ongoing feedback, formative and summative assessment. Sample of student assignments were provided to support continuous assessment throughout the academic year. Interviews with members revealed that many forms of assessment were utilized, both to evaluate student progress and to model effective assessment techniques.
Conclusion
Requirement 7 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 8
The program includes a practicum that satisfies the requirements set out in 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
Documentation and interviews revealed that the practicum experience is 60 days in duration. Practicum placements take place in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools, which implement the Ontario curriculum. The placements include provision for observation as well as practice teaching opportunities. These assignments enable candidates to participate in settings related to each division and, in the case of the junior/intermediate and intermediate/senior options, in at least one of their chosen subject specialties. The pre-service candidates are mentored, supervised, and assessed by experienced teachers who are also members of the Ontario College of Teachers. A faculty advisor is assigned to each pre-service candidate and has responsibilities for both formative and summative assessment.
Conclusion
Requirement 8 is fully satisfied.
Requirement 9
Successful completion of the practicum is a requirement for successful completion of the program.
Findings
Numerous documented references indicated that successful completion of the practicum was an essential requirement for the successful completion of the program.
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
Information from documents included courses of study in the methodology courses of the P/J, J/I and I/S Divisions. Teacher candidates and associate teachers in both the Consecutive and Concurrent Programs provided evidence of a variety of teaching strategies appropriate to their respective 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
Findings confirmed that the theory and foundations courses included information on human development and learning and on the legislation and government policies relating to education. Documents submitted by the faculty and interviews with faculty members provided information regarding the theory and foundations 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
The Faculty who teach in the pre-service program include tenured, tenure-streamed and sessional staff, as well as the associate teachers in the schools. Profiles for each faculty member as well as those of newly hired staff were provided. All faculty members who teach pre-service courses have Ontario teaching experience and many possess current teaching certification or equivalent qualifications. There was a balance between staff with teaching experience and those with academic qualifications in all concentrations 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
Paper student records are stored in locked cabinets in a secure office. Additional records are stored in the Dean's office, accessible only by a master key. Paper records are shredded after seven years of files becoming inactive. Electronic records are kept indefinitely in a double password protected computer system. Faculty members are able to view their own enrolled student record, but they are unable to alter these records. Student grades are only entered by the Registrar's office.
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
Documents submitted by the Faculty indicated a commitment to continuous improvement and academic planning. Over the last four years, eight strategic planning retreats have been held, which have led to such improvements as a cluster model for practice teaching, portfolio assessment and increased support for faculty research. Interviews with the Teacher Education Liaison Committee (TELC) and the Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC) provided evidence of a continuous advisory relationship with the Faculty, which has led to proactive solutions in areas such as diversity, teacher candidate placements and local community issues.
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
Interviews with the Teacher Education Liaison Committee (TELC) and the Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC) provided evidence of a continuous advisory relationship with the Faculty, which has led to proactive solutions in areas such as diversity, teacher candidate placements and local community issues.
Conclusion
Requirement 15 is fully satisfied.
Initial accreditation of the proposed Program of Technological Studies
The proposed Program of Technological Studies was assessed as an integral part of the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education accreditation review. The Accreditation Committee concluded that the proposed program would fully satisfy the 15 requirements set out in Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs.
Decisions
For the reasons set out above, the Accreditation Committee finds that the University of Windsor's Faculty of Education's:
- Concurrent Bachelor of Education Program satisfies the requirements of Regulations 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, and grants general accreditation for a period of five years (2010).
- Consecutive Bachelor of Education Program satisfies the requirements of Regulations 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs, and grants general accreditation for a period of five years (2010).
- Proposed Program of Technological Studies satisfies the requirements of Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs and grants initial accreditation for a period of two years (2007) or the period of time ending on the graduation of the second class of students enrolled in the program, whichever is the longer period of time, but not to exceed three years (2008).
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
October 6, 2005
Amendments to Expiry Date
In accordance with the May 1, 2009 amendment to the accreditation period for programs of professional education in the Accreditation Regulation, the expiry dates for the Concurrent and the Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs are amended to October 6, 2012.
Regulation 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs
May 1, 2009
On June 23, 2009, the Accreditation Committee and the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor agreed to extend the general accreditation period for the Concurrent and the Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs to October 6, 2013 to enable all accredited programs at the institution to have a harmonized expiry date that aligns with the undergraduate program reviews conducted internally by the university.
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 until October 6, 2016 for the Concurrent and Consecutive Bachelor of Education programs to enable time to implement the new enhanced teacher education program required in September 2015. The accreditation period for the Primary/Junior Concurrent program offered on-site at Lambton College has not been extended as it will not be renewed.
Accreditation Committee
Ontario College of Teachers
November 19, 2013
