Teacher commitment overcomes system conflict, survey says
September 03 2003
College releases results of first ever poll of teacher attitudes
Sept. 3, 2003 (Toronto) Ontario teachers say they remain motivated
and committed to mentoring and inspiring young people despite conflict in the
education system and the need for more resources, says a survey of Ontario
College of Teacher members.
A July telephone survey of 1,027 randomly chosen educators shows that they
feel accountable to their students, have concerns with standardized testing
and overwhelmingly support parent involvement and assistance.
The survey is the first in the seven-year history of the Ontario College
of Teachers, the licensing and regulatory body for the province's teaching
profession. The College is uniquely positioned to hear the voices of 190,000
teachers and educators in Ontario's public and private schools and faculties
of education.
"The survey explored the perspectives of teachers regarding their confidence
in teaching and the system, what makes good teaching possible, the profession’s
public profile, accountability and the role of parents," says College
Chair Marilyn Laframboise.
The College's member survey on the State of the Teaching Profession in
Ontario found that:
- 81 per cent of teachers say that mentoring or inspiring young people is
the best part of being a teacher
- almost 90 per cent are confident in the jobs they are doing
- 98 per cent believe that supportive parents who read to their children
or help with homework are essential for a young person’s success in school
- more than 85 per cent feel that standardized tests demoralize students,
do not improve learning and are not a good way to track student success or
monitor teacher performance
- 67 per cent would recommend a career in teaching to students.
- 29 per cent identified an atmosphere of conflict in the education system
as the most challenging aspect of their work.
The College commissioned COMPAS Inc., a public opinion and customer research
firm, to conduct the survey. The sample results are accurate within 3.5 percentage
points, 19 times out of 20.
"We conducted this survey to get our members’ views on the teaching profession,
to stimulate dialogue and to help the public understand the challenges teachers
face," says College Registrar Doug Wilson. "The information will
be used to spark dialogue within the education system about the teaching profession
and professional issues."
For example, the College will propose a plan to the Minister of Education
regarding support for newly certified teachers. In addition, the College will
work closely with Ontario's faculties of education to review bachelor of education
programs through the process of accreditation.
"Building a strong teaching profession and a quality education system
for Ontario students is the baseline commitment of Ontario's teachers," Laframboise
says.
"Applaud them. Recognize them. Appreciate their altruism. And support
them."
"There are few issues as important to Canadians as education," says
COMPAS Inc. president Conrad Winn. "The data underscores the need to have
people in education working together to fix the problems and improve learning."
The Ontario College of Teachers licenses, governs and regulates the profession
of teaching in the public interest. It sets standards of practice and ethical
standards, conducts disciplinary hearings and accredits teacher education
programs affecting its 190,000 members in publicly funded schools and institutions
across Ontario. The College is the largest self-regulatory body in Canada.
For more information:
Brian Jamieson
416-961-8800 ext. 255
Toll-free 1-888-534-2222, ext. 255
