Initial Teacher Education Program Moving to a 12-Month Model on May 1, 2027

On April 10, 2026, the Ontario government announced changes to the initial teacher education program. Effective May 1, 2027, the current four-semester model will become a three-semester, 12-month consecutive program. The new model maintains the current 80-day practicum requirement.

As the regulator for Ontario’s teaching profession, the College sets certification requirements and accreditation standards that serve the public interest. The College’s priority is to maintain clear professional standards and to support a smooth transition to the new initial teacher education program model.

The College has worked with the Ministry of Education to draft the related regulatory amendments to transition to the new program model. The focus in this has been on changes to Ontario Regulation 347/02 Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (Accreditation Regulation).

At its June 11, 2026 meeting, College Council approved the proposed amendments to the Accreditation Regulation.

Beyond initial teacher education program changes, the amendments also include changes to ensure the continuity of existing initial teacher education programs during the implementation of the new model, as well as updates previously approved by College Council and housekeeping amendments to streamline and clarify accreditation reviews.

Corresponding updates to teacher certification requirements set out in Ontario Regulation 176/10 Teachers’ Qualifications that align with the Accreditation Regulation are anticipated later this year.

Teacher candidates, College members, and all other interest holders are encouraged to monitor the College website for further updates.

New Certification Pathway Will Support Indigenous Languages Revitalization

The College has been working with the Ministry of Education and First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners to develop a new pathway for prospective Indigenous languages teacher candidates to become Ontario Certified Teachers (OCTs) in Indigenous Languages.

The new model is supported by a community endorsement pathway, authorizing First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities to establish endorsement circles or committees to assess and endorse Indigenous language teacher candidates to the College for certification.

On June 11, 2026, College Council approved a motion for College and Ministry staff to draft regulations that will put this licensure pathway into practice. Before the pathway can be implemented, draft regulations must be brought back to Council for consideration.

What is a community endorsement circle and how will it work?

The community endorsement model will allow communities to assess and endorse Indigenous language teacher candidates for certification without the prerequisite of completing an initial teacher education program.

Following an endorsement, Indigenous language teacher candidates can apply to the College. If certified, the candidates would become OCTs in Indigenous Languages and would be permitted to teach the Indigenous languages for which they have been endorsed in Ontario’s publicly funded school system.

Why this change?

Many First Nations, Métis and Inuit languages are spoken in Ontario, and several are taught in schools, including Oneida, Mohawk, Ojibwe, Cree, and Inuktitut. However, Indigenous languages are at risk due to the impacts of residential schools, the aging remaining population of fluent speakers and the low number of certified Indigenous language teachers.

This new certification pathway will remove barriers for Indigenous language teachers and create more opportunities for Indigenous languages to be promoted and preserved.

The College recognizes our many partners in this work, including the Ministry of Education, First Nation, Métis, Inuit sharing session partners, and the Chiefs of Ontario.  

More information about this priority initiative will be shared as it becomes available.

Council Meeting Updates

June 11, 2026

To start the June 11, 2026, Council meeting, Selection and Nominating Subcommittee Vice-Chair Stephen Sliwa, OCT, led the meeting on behalf of Council Chair Joseph Fiorino. He began by recognizing outgoing Council member and former Acting Chair, Tammy Webster, OCT. He acknowledged her contributions since joining Council under the new governance model in 2022. Stephen also welcomed the newest Council member, Teresa Mormile, OCT, who was appointed on March 26, 2026, for a two-year term.

During the meeting, key updates were presented and motions were approved, moving forward several College priorities. The Registrar and CEO, Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO began by presenting a quarterly report with new and updated tracked data metrics and key performance indicators.

Council then received a report from the Standards of Practice and Education (SPE) Committee, including the refreshed Professional Standards for the teaching profession which were approved by the SPE Committee on May 21, 2026. Council also heard about a related awareness and engagement plan that will begin in August.

Additionally, Council received and approved proposed regulatory amendments to Ontario Regulation 347/02 Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs related to changes to initial teacher education programs associated with Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026.

A decision note outlining the Indigenous Languages certification pathway and conceptual framework was presented, with Council approving engagement with the Ministry of Education to develop proposed regulatory amendments for the new pathway. Draft amendments will be presented to Council at a future date.

Council also received a decision note about updating the name of the Additional Qualification Supporting Multilingual French Language Learners to comply with the Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum 172. A related motion was approved.

An update on the College’s Governance Enhancement Plan was also provided, with Council approving the table of contents for the new governance manual.

Finally, Council received a report from the Audit and Finance Subcommittee, including quarterly financial results, and a report from the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee which included a motion to appoint Line Lienou, OCT to Council for a two-year term effective July 7, 2026. That motion was also approved.

March 26, 2026

During the March 26, 2026, Council meeting, key updates were presented, including a quarterly report from Registrar and CEO, Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, as well as an Executive Summary of the 2025 Focus on Teaching report.

As part of the quarterly Registrar’s Report, a new section on tracked data metrics was introduced.

Separately, Council approved a motion directing the Registrar to conduct an environmental scan of legislation governing investigations at other professional regulators and to report back with recommendations. Council requested this work as part of the College’s regular review of existing legislation to identify possible opportunities for improvement.

An update will be shared with Council at its December 10, 2026, meeting.

Council received and approved the proposed work plan for the first phase of the Governance Enhancement Plan, which aims to strengthen and align Council governance with established best practices. The first phase will focus on foundations or baseline tools.

Council also received a decision note to expand the definition of “permitted institution” to include Indigenous Institutes and approved the related motion recommending that the Ministry of Education amend O. Reg. 347/02, Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs. This change would permit Indigenous Institutes to seek College accreditation for independent initial teacher education programs.

Additionally, Council received a report from the Audit and Finance Subcommittee (AFS), as well as the 2025 audited financial statements, and approved two motions, one related to contributions to the College’s reserves and the other related to the “Annual Budget Reallocations Policy.” This policy supports the Registrar’s discretion to cumulatively reallocate funds within the annual approved budget envelope, with reporting requirements to the AFS.

The Selection and Nominating Subcommittee’s report was received and their recommendations for Council and committee and roster appointments were approved. The subcommittee also acknowledged the contributions of Imran Syed, OCT, following his resignation from Council after serving since the College’s new governance model was introduced in 2022. Reports from the Human Resources Subcommittee and the Investigation Committee were also presented.

Council meetings are livestreamed on the College’s YouTube channel. Meeting summaries and related documents are posted on our website.

Get Involved in College Governance

Apply today to serve on Council or one of the College’s statutory or regulatory committees. Contribute your professional and personal knowledge, grow your regulatory expertise and make a difference to students in Ontario’s education system.

The College is looking for qualified and dedicated members of the public, reflecting Ontario’s linguistic, geographic, and demographic diversity, to govern the teaching profession in the public interest.

The deadline to apply is July 15, 2026, to be considered for a term starting January 1, 2027.

Your application* will be considered by the Selection and Nominating Subcommittee for current and upcoming vacancies. Individuals appointed to fill a vacancy will be appointed for a one- or two-year term, subject to renewal.

More information about eligibility criteria and the benefits of getting involved can be found on the College’s website.

*Service on Council or Committee is a voluntary position. This is not a teaching position.

Updated Professional Advisory Supports Student Safety in Today’s Learning Environments

The Ontario College of Teachers has released an updated Professional Advisory on Student Physical Safety in Learning Environments, providing guidance to OCTs on supporting safe and inclusive learning spaces for students.

Originally issued in 2013 and last revised in 2016, the advisory has been updated to reflect today’s classrooms, evolving student needs and a broader range of learning environments. This includes spaces such as school grounds, outdoor learning areas, science labs, workshops and off-site activities.

The updated guidance also places greater emphasis on supporting students with diverse needs, including those with exceptionalities, medical conditions and accessibility considerations. It highlights the importance of individualized safety planning and proactive approaches to student well-being.

The guidance in the advisory is organized using the 4Rs for Safety Framework:

• Recognize safety concerns and professional responsibilities.
• Respond to safety risks and incidents.
• Report accurately and promptly.
• Reflect to strengthen future practice.

Using these 4Rs supports teachers in identifying safety concerns, responding appropriately and strengthening their professional practice over time.

The advisory was informed by input from education partners, safety experts and OCTs. This collaborative approach helps ensure the guidance reflects real-world classroom experiences and supports the shared goal of protecting students.

The updated advisory is available on the College’s website in PDF and audio formats.

Save the Date for Our Annual Meeting of Members on October 20

The College’s Annual Meeting of Members will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The online meeting is open to OCTs, applicants, interested education partners, and members of the public. College leadership, including Registrar and CEO Linda Lacroix, OCT/EAO, and the Chair of College Council, Joseph Fiorino, will provide updates on how the College works within its mandate to protect the safety and well-being of Ontario students.

The meeting will be hosted on Zoom with simultaneous French and English interpretation and optional closed captioning, and will conclude with a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance when you fill out your registration form. Details on how to register will be available soon.