INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION COURSES
Additional qualification courses consist of 125 hours of work as defined in Regulation 176/10 (Ontario College of Teachers Act).http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2010/elaws_src_regs_r10176_e.htm
Requirements for Specialist Qualification
The three-part specialist course consists of Parts 1, 2 and Specialist.
Prerequisites for Part 1
-Certificate of Qualification (or Interim Certificate of Qualification). A letter of Eligibility does not satisfy this admission requirement
-Basic Qualifications in Primary or Junior divisions or Intermediate or Senior divisions in general studies.
-Primary Education, Junior Education and Intermediate Education require a basic qualification in the respective division.
-An asset in having access to students in a classroom setting.
Prerequisites for Part 2
-Part 1 or equivalent
-Have access to students in a classroom setting (the summative assessment requires candidates to be able to apply their learning to complete action research with students)
-One year of successful teaching experience, certified by a supervisory officer
Prerequisites for Specialist
-Part 2 or equivalent
-Have access to students in a classroom setting (the summative assessment requires candidates to be able to apply their learning to complete action research with students) and/or facilitate partnering with a teacher to fulfill this requirement.
-Two years of successful teaching experience, including one in the subject in Ontario, certified by a supervisory officer. Experience outside of Ontario must be certified by an appropriate supervisory official.
Equivalent Standing:
TDSB does NOT grant equivalent standing. Applications must be made to the Ontario College of Teachers.
Registration
All candidates must complete the Registration form
TDSB candidates are also required to register on Key to Learn
Tuition Fees and Payment
$850 per course – (TDSB applicants please reference Key to Learn)
Fees are subject to change by the Toronto District School Board without notice.
Payment must be by cheque or money order, payable to the Toronto District School Board.
Payment must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the course.
Send payment and Registration form to:
Toronto District School Board
140 Borough Drive
Toronto, ON M1P 4N6
Attention: Carrie Gorman
Note: Candidates are not considered admitted into the course until payment has been received. The Toronto District School Board reserves the right to withdraw any candidate who submits documentation but who is subsequently found to be unqualified to take the course(s)
For more registration information email carrie.gorman@tdsb.on.ca or call 416-394-7273
Upon completion of the course, each participant will receive a letter confirming whether or not they have successfully completed the AQ course.
Income Tax Receipts:
Official income tax receipts (T2202A) will be issued at the end of February.
Only tuition fees are eligible for tax deductions.
For questions related to tax receipts contact Myrna Cusi, Business Services at 416-395-8239
Course Outlines:
Course outlines are provided to candidates on the first night of the Additional Qualification Course re:
-Course Instructor & Principal Contact Information
-Attendance Policy -Candidate Assessment & Evaluation
-Action Research & Assignments (where applicable)
-On Line Component
Course Cancellation:
The TDSB reserves the right to combine and/or cancel a course due to insufficient enrolment. A minimum of 15 participants must be enrolled and have paid their tuition by the application due deadline. Participants will be notified via email, if the course is cancelled or combined. If a course is cancelled by the TDSB, participants will receive a full refund.
Withdrawal Procedures:
Candidates may withdraw from a course by notifying the Principal of AQ Courses of the Toronto District School Board promptly in writing to: Michel.LeBlanc@tdsb.on.ca. Withdrawal is effective on the date the written request is received by the Principal. Refunds will be provided based on the following refund schedule:
| Date of Receipt of Withdrawal Notice in Writing |
Refund |
| Three business days prior to the first day of class |
100% of tuition fees paid |
| After the first day of class |
80% of tuition fees paid |
| After the second day of class |
50% of tuition fees paid |
| After the third day of class |
NIL |
Equivalent Standing:
TDSB does NOT grant equivalent standing. Applications must be made to the Ontario College of Teachers.
Candidate Appeal Process, Definition and Timelines:
The “Appeal Procedure” may be initiated by a candidate who disagrees with the evaluation of the requirements for successful completion of Part I, Additional Qualification Program and must be initiated within 30 calendar days following notice of unsuccessful completion of the course.
Pre-Appeal Discussion:
A discussion among the candidate, AQ instructor, and the Chair of the TDSB TEAC shall be held to clarify the areas of disagreement and to attempt to resolve the issues of concern.
Appeal Process:
If the issues cannot be resolved, the candidate shall initiate the appeal procedure by a sending a request in writing to the Chair of the TDSB Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC).
A copy of the appeal request shall be forwarded to the candidate’s instructor for the AQ course.
The letter of appeal shall outline:
-The specific areas of contention
-The specific reasons why the candidate believes the assigned material should be reassessed
-Any other information that the candidate deems relevant
-On receipt of the letter of appeal, the Chair of the TDSB TEAC shall convene an appeal panel within 30 calendar days.
The appeal panel shall consist of:
-An AQ instructor or AQ developer not involved in the AQ who is acceptable to both the candidate and the TDSB TEAC.
-A person of the candidate’s choosing, who is a practicing teacher (including consultants who are teachers), principal or supervisory officer and not from the candidate’s school board
-A person chosen by the TDSB TEAC who is presently a teacher (including consultants who are teachers), principal or supervisory officer and not from the candidate’s school board
-The Chair of the TDSB TEAC shall chair the appeal panel as a non-voting member
-The candidate shall be advised in writing of the time, date and place, the appeal panel will convene.
-The candidate has a right to be present throughout the appeal panel deliberations and may present materials and issues related to the assignments.
-The candidate has access to all materials relating to course evaluation.
-The candidate shall have the right to respond in writing to any aspect of the assessment material and original written report. The candidate’s response shall form part of the documentation at the appeal.
-The candidate and the instructor will each be given an opportunity to make a presentation to the appeal panel.
-The appeal panel shall consider the written records and obtain clarification of the candidate’s concerns during the appeal panel deliberations.
-The appeal panel shall reach a ruling on the appeal within seven calendar days of the appeal.
-The decision of the appeal shall be final.
-The Chair of the TDSB TEAC shall convey the appeal panel decision in writing to the candidate.