Transcript Teacher Regulation - BCCPAC | BC Confederation of Parent

Teacher Regulation
in British Columbia
BCCPAC AGM
May 5, 2013
Teachers Act
The Teachers Act is based on two
foundational principles: the paramount
nature of the public interest and
transparency.
TRB Website
Online Registry
BC Teachers Council Meetings
Discipline Process
Hearing Schedule
Discipline Decisions
The focus on both public interest and
transparency is intended to increase public
confidence that educators who fail to meet
the standards of conduct and competence
will be held accountable.
Shared Responsibility
• Work in the public interest
• Ensure the safety of children
• Ensure that all educators are fit and
competent
• Instill public confidence in the education system
by ensuring that K-12 educators are held
accountable to the standards
New Regulatory Model
The new regulatory structure has five
separate and distinct bodies who also
share responsibility.
BC Teachers’
Council
Commissioner
for Teacher
Regulation
Disciplinary
and
Professional
Conduct Board
Teacher Regulation Branch
Operational/Administrative Support
Director of
Certification
“Raising the Curtain”…
Commissioner
for Teacher Regulation
Ensuring that concerns about the
competence and conduct of educators are
addressed independently, fairly,
expeditiously and in the public interest.
How Concerns Are Initiated
1. Employer report: regarding disciplinary action
taken or a resignation under the School Act or the
Independent School Act.
2. A written complaint: from any member of the
public.
3. A written report: from a teacher about the serious
misconduct of another teacher (required under the
Teachers Act).
4. Commissioner’s own initiative: when he becomes
aware of information related to conduct or
competence of an educator, including information
about criminal proceedings.
Employers Must Report:
• Suspensions or dismissals
• Discipline for misconduct that involves:
 Physical harm to a student or minor
 Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a student or
minor, or
 Significant emotional harm to a student
or minor
• Conduct/competence considered to be in breach of the
teaching certification standards, if it is in the public
interest
• A resignation, if it is in the public interest
Public Interest
Public interest in a regulatory context has two main
elements:
1. Students must be protected from certificate
holders who inflict physical, emotional or sexual
harm on them (intentionally or otherwise).
2. Certificate holders cannot conduct themselves –
on or off duty – in a way that breaches the
Standards for the Education, Competence and
Professional Conduct of Educators in B.C.
Discipline Process
Process
Report
Complaint
Commissioner
Initiated
Intake
File Preparation
Commissioner’s
Preliminary Review
Deferral
Investigation
No Further
Action
Consent
Resolutions
Written Reasons
Written Reasons
Citation
Publication
Hearing
Written Reasons
Publication
If Disciplinary Action is
Warranted
• Whether the case is resolved through a
disciplinary hearing or consent resolution
process, there are several options
available:
A reprimand
 Suspension of a certificate
 Placing limits or conditions on a certificate
 Cancelling a certificate
