The College at a Glance
Our Mandate
The College regulates and governs the teaching profession in Ontario in the best interests of the public. It does this by:
- setting standards of practice and ethical standards;
- issuing teaching certificates and may suspend or revoke them;
- accrediting teacher education programs and courses; and
- investigating and hears complaints about individual members.
It is also mandated to communicate with the public on behalf of the profession. This annual report is one example. The College’s website at oct.ca is another.
In the Public Interest
The College has a duty to serve and protect the public interest. College policies and initiatives are developed to maintain and improve excellence in teaching. The College is accountable for how it carries out its responsibilities. Standards of practice and ethical standards for the teaching profession highlight the public interest.
In the interest of transparency, the public can view a register of all College members on our website, which includes their qualifications and credentials. Disciplinary hearings are open to the public. A summary of each disciplinary hearing and its outcome is published in the College magazine and on our website.
How We Are Governed
The College is governed by a 37-member Council:
- 23 College members are elected by their peers for three-year terms. Elected members represent the English, French, Catholic, public, elementary and secondary school systems in all regions of the province.
- 14 members of Council are appointed by the provincial government for terms of up to three years.
The Council meets a minimum of four times a year to recommend regulatory changes and develop and approve policies and procedures.
Our Members
Who are our members? Teachers, consultants, vice-principals, principals, supervisory officers, directors of education and those working in non-school board positions must all be certified by the College to work in Ontario’s publicly funded schools and school systems. Our members work in faculties of education, the Ministry of Education, teachers’ federations, the College and independent schools. They also work in many other institutions that provide educational opportunities for teachers and their students in Ontario, other parts of Canada and around the world. The College membership reached 235,705 in 2017.
Our Services
The College offers its members and the public a wide range of resources about teaching and education on its website, through the Margaret Wilson Library and in our quarterly magazine, Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession. Government agencies, consulates, international organizations and advocacy groups, as well as other Canadian provinces, increasingly draw on College expertise on teacher certification, international credentials and assessment, and the status of teacher education. Standard correspondence at the College reflects, wherever possible, gender- neutral language. Providing members with the ability to self-identify supports our ongoing commitment to inclusivity and respect when communicating with applicants, College members and the public within diverse communities.
Our Education Partners
The strength of Ontario’s education system is the breadth and depth of the expertise contributed by individuals and organizations that work together to support student achievement. Parent groups, trustees and government agencies work with teachers and administrators, faculties of education, teachers’ federations and professional associations to identify issues and develop solutions. Whether developing standards of practice for our members or a response to government policy initiatives, we consult with education partners as an integral part of addressing issues and opportunities facing the teaching profession.