Teacher Education Review Committee Named
The province is reviewing teacher education programs to determine if the current regime meets the needs of school boards, current and prospective teachers, and school communities.
Education Minister Karen Casey has named a three-person panel -- Myra Freeman, an educator and former lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia; Daniel O'Brien, former president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University; and Bill Whelan, a former superintendent of education at four Atlantic Canadian school boards, most recently the Colchester-East Hants District School Board. Mr. O'Brien will chair the panel.
"I am very grateful that these three distinguished individuals have agreed to help the Department of Education identify the best means of training the teachers who will play such a key role in the lives of our children," said Ms. Casey. "I look forward to their report, which I expect to receive in December."
The committee will meet with education faculties and administrations of Nova Scotia universities that offer teacher education programs, the province's teacher certification committee, the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, school board members and staff, recent graduates of teacher education programs and high school students through the Provincial Student Education Council. Written submissions may also be requested from other people or organizations.
The consultations will focus on the bachelor of education (B.Ed) curriculum, the time required to complete a 60-credit B.Ed program, the necessary balance between the demand for teachers and the capacity of the current teacher education network to develop teachers -- especially Nova Scotian teachers, the need for greater communication between universities that offer education programs and other relevant topics.
In Nova Scotia, most prospective teachers complete an undergraduate degree before applying to one of four institutions that offer a B.Ed program. An education degree combines theoretical studies and practical classroom experience.
Mount Saint Vincent University, Acadia University, St. Francis Xavier University and Université Ste-Anne offer a provincially funded, two-year, 60-credit B.Ed program. Saint Mary's University and Cape Breton University have arrangements with out-of-province institutions where students can earn an education degree.
A review of teacher education more than 10 years ago -- the Shapiro Report -- established today's system. A post-Shapiro review in 2000 made 32 recommendations to further improve teacher education in Nova Scotia.