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Certified Teachers FAQ Questions about QECO Procedures
Does the College of Teachers automatically send information about my certification to QECO? No, the teacher must submit all documentation to QECO. Do the Faculties of Education automatically notify QECO of courses that I have taken? No, teachers are responsible for sending all pertinent documentation to QECO. Are the students at any faculties of education eligible for a student evaluation? Only students at Ontario faculties of education are eligible for an evaluation if they apply to QECO between January 1 and April 30. Students at faculties of education outside Ontario are ineligible for a student evaluation and must be certified by the College of Teachers and be federation members before they can apply to QECO. What if I am enrolled in a two-summer program of teacher education? Am I eligible for a QECO evaluation? Yes. You must, however, submit a copy of your Certificate of Qualification (limited) as well as evidence that you are a member of one of the three federations served by QECO. Will QECO send my Statement of Evaluation to my school board? You are responsible for providing your employer (school board) with your Statement of Evaluation and with the covering letter provided by QECO. What documents are acceptable as proof of certification with the Ontario College of Teachers? QECO accepts clear, unaltered photocopies of the Ontario Certificate of Qualification. Alternatively, Certificates of Qualification printed from the members site of the Ontario College of Teachers web site www.oct.ca are acceptable as well. Will QECO accept applications and supporting documentation by fax? Applications cannot be submitted electronically. QECO does not accept any documentation by fax or email. Will QECO give advice regarding my quickest route to the next category? Yes, requests for upgrading advice must be made in writing to the QECO office along with an application. Teachers are encouraged to request such information, prior to beginning a course they think will move them up a category. Will I be able to get upgrading information over the phone? All upgrading information must be requested in writing and accompanied by an application. Who should I apply to in order to obtain an Additional Qualification by equivalence? Please direct all requests for religious education equivalent standing to the OECTA. The Ontario College of Teachers is responsible for all other Additional Qualifications equivalences at www.oct.ca. Can I obtain specific information about what I will require for category A4 placement? QECO will only give upgrading requirements for one category at a time, upon receipt of a written request and application. Qualifications and Evaluations
Will any two Additional Specialist Qualifications place me in Category A4? If you are currently in Category A2 (via item #2 on the General Studies Chart) this is possible on Program 5, provided all other conditions are met (as specifically outlined in Program 5). Will any Specialist Qualification plus any 5 courses place me in Category A4? If you are currently in Category A2 (via item #2 on the General Studies Chart), this is possible on Program 5, provided all other conditions are met. What category will a 4-year Honours degree usually merit? A 4-year Ontario university degree exclusive of the year of basic teacher education with at least a B- average will merit a Category A3 placement. Will any Specialist qualification move me up a category? No. Category advancement depends on many factors. You should complete an application to QECO and inquire in writing, concerning specific requirements. Why did I receive a different category placement than my colleague who has the same qualifications? Evaluation of teacher qualifications is complex and is based on the number of courses, subject areas and grades received. This can account for differences in category placements for teachers who appear on the surface to have the same qualifications. What if I disagree with the category I am placed in? QECO evaluations are based on the policies and regulations within Program 5, which itself was written by teachers and approved by the elected members of the Affiliates Committee. If you disagree with your evaluation, and you have determined where in Program 5 an error to your evaluation has been made, you may contact the QECO office in writing within 60 days of the date of your evaluation and request a review by the Executive Director. (Please refer to the Appeals Protocol) Are all Additional Qualification courses recognized as degree-credit courses by QECO? Additional Qualification courses offered at an Ontario university Faculty of Education are considered “university degree-credit courses” when they appear on a university transcript with grade and credit value listed. Can I decide to substitute a course for category advancement when QECO has specified a subject area? No substitute courses will be accepted by QECO when the subject area has been specified by QECO. Will teaching experience help me to advance to a higher category? No, teaching experience has no bearing on category placement. For information about experience recognition for the final determination of your level of remuneration, check your collective agreement. Will a Masters in Education degree automatically place me in Category A4? No, it depends on what other qualifications you have. An approved Master’s degree must be exclusive of basic teacher training in order to be accepted as a Master’s degree on the QECO General Studies chart of program 5. I have completed more than the minimum number of courses required for my initial degree. Can I claim the extra courses under "Additional University Courses"? Yes, you can claim these as additional university courses. However, an official letter from the Registrar of the university attended must be submitted indicating, by name and number, the course(s) which was/were extra to your degree. It would be advantageous if the highest mark possible (marks in at least the B range) were attained in these courses.
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