Implementation of the Teacher-Adviser Program
As stated in Ontario
Secondary Schools, Grades 9 to 12: Program and Diploma Requirements,
1999 (OSS), the purpose of the teacher-adviser program is to assist
students in planning a relevant and rigorous program to meet their needs and
goals and to reflect their interests. Teacher-advisers are responsible for
helping students make informed choices at key transition points in their
schooling. Teachers assigned teacher-adviser duties are responsible for helping
students complete and review their annual education plan, monitoring students'
academic progress, and communicating with parents about students' progress.
To assist boards in implementing the
teacher-adviser
program, the government has provided $64 million for the hiring of
additional teachers in 2000–2001. In addition, Ontario Regulation 398/00,
entitled "Secondary School Teaching Assignments", makes the program eligible
for inclusion in the calculation of the required minimum teaching-assignment
average, stated in subsection 170.2.1(2) of the Education Act, of 6.67
eligible courses in a day school program during the school year.
As a result of these changes, the original schedule for
implementing the teacher-adviser program that was provided in OSS has been
modified. Beginning in September 2000, principals are required to assign
students in Grades 7 through 12 to a teacher-adviser under the teacher-adviser
program.
Use of the Term "Co-instructional Activities"
The Education Accountability Act, 2000 amended the
Education Act by adding the following definition:
- "co-instructional activities" means activities other than
providing instruction that,
- (a) support the operation of schools,
- (b) enrich pupils' school-related experience, whether
within or beyond the instructional program, or
- (c) advance pupils' education and education-related goals,
and includes but is not limited to activities having to do with school-related
sports, arts and cultural activities, parent-teacher and pupil-teacher
interviews, letters of support for pupils, staff meetings and school functions
but does not include activities specified in a regulation made under subsection
(1.2)
Effective immediately, the term "extracurricular activities" in
OSS should be read as "co-instructional activities", as defined above.
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