Teacher Discipline

The Canadian system of self-regulation of teachers has been pointed to as a model for U.S. teacher discipline. The College of Teachers has that responsibility. However, their performance leaves a lot to be desired, especially their transparency

Jan 14, 2008 - A teacher was barred from teaching for 50 years after he admitted he might be a pedophile, was convicted of assaulting his common-law partner and son, and accused of threatening his psychiatrist and was ordered not to possess weapons.

That is the toughest penalty the College of Teachers has ever given.

However, the B.C. College of Teachers does not name him.

The summary says the man "was a teacher-on-call when he made statements that he may be a pedophile, that he viewed child pornography and that he had sexual fantasies and thoughts that involved children."
It gives no indication of where he worked in B.C. or whether he was in public or independent schools.

As a former council member said, "If the college felt that this teacher was dangerous enough to ban him for 50 years, the college also understood that his past might have included abuse," she said in an e-mail. "By agreeing to non-publication, the college has kept secrets firmly behind closed doors."

TT - Teacher discpline decisions by the College of Teachers in British Columbia are online.

Some Consent Resolution Agreement reasons for not releasing names.
"The Committee rescinded the citation and were satisfied that publication would cause grievous harm to the Member's psychological condition."
" The Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee agreed to withhold her name from publication due to her health status."
"The Committee determined that publication of the Member's name be withheld as publication would cause grievous harm to the Member and other parties."
"On October 1, 2007, the Preliminary Investigation Sub-Committee agreed that the citation be rescinded and publication of the Member's name be withheld due to his frail state of health and efforts to pursue treatment for same."
Eleven of the agreements give names; 19 don't.

In November 2007, a former B.C. College of Teachers council member said the decisions amount to "a backroom deal -- a handshake. The discipline process has degenerated into a non-discipline process." LINK (Look at the makeup of the committee that adjudicates most cases.)

The Ontario College of Teachers idea of governing themselves is agreeing that they won't disclose the teachers' names. LINK

Ontario College of Teachers publishes hearings and decisions in their monthly newsletter, Professionally Speaking under Govering Ourselves. Current Issue link and, in the issue, Hearings link Past Issues can be found at Archives