Kids and Technology

Professional development advice to Minister

College Council forwarded advice to Minister of Education Gerard Kennedy in late February on the essential elements of effective professional development for teachers.

The advice, in the form of recommendations, had been approved by Council at a special meeting on February 20th.

The Minister had requested the input on professional learning at a meeting with College Council Chair Marilyn Laframboise and Registrar Doug Wilson in December 2003.

"The College's research and program initiatives have tracked the best ideas to have emerged about professional development in recent years," says College Chair Marilyn Laframboise. "As teaching continues to evolve, we want to do our part to ensure that PD responds to teachers' needs and supports school improvement and student achievement."

The College recommended that effective professional learning for members reflect the College's standards of practice and ethical standards, and be based on the Professional Learning Framework for the Teaching Profession. The framework is a widely accepted, practical guide to effective, teacher-driven professional development.

The advice also recommended

• more equitable access to professional learning for Ontario teachers
• expansion of job-embedded professional development
• continued access to the wide variety of professional learning opportunities
• encouraging co-operation among those offering professional learning.

"Our mandate to provide for the on-going education of our members is based on building effective learning communities," says College Registrar Doug Wilson. "We welcome the chance to participate in the process of change."