Policy/Program Memorandum No. 126

Issued under the authority of the Deputy Minister of Education

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:

Effective immediately, the term "extracurricular activities" in OSS should be read as "co-instructional activities", as defined above.