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Policies

Prerequisites

OSSTF/FEESO is a provider of Schedule C, One-Session AQ courses and Schedule D, Three-Session Specialist AQ courses. Enrollment is open to OSSTF/FEESO members and non-members who meet the prerequisites identified by the Ontario College of Teachers and relevant regulations.

Prerequisites for Admission

Schedule C – One Session AQ Courses

  • Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
  • Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification and Registration

Schedule D – Three Part Specialist AQ Courses (Parts 1, 2, and Specialist)

Part 1
  • Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
  • Hold a valid Certificate of Qualification and Registration with qualifications in one of the following divisions:
    • Primary division
    • Junior division
    • Intermediate division
    • Senior division
Part 2
  • Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
  • Hold the corresponding Part 1 AQ, listed on their Certificate of Qualification and Registration OR qualification in the intermediate or senior division in the same subject listed under Schedule A Additional Basic Qualifications
  • At least 194 days (1 year) successful classroom teaching experience, verified by a Supervisory Officer/Official
    • Submit a completed Statement of Successful Teaching Experience during course registration
Specialist
  • Be a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers
  • Hold the corresponding Part 2 AQ, listed on their Certificate of Qualification and Registration
  • At least 388 days (2 years) successful classroom teaching experience, verified by a Supervisory Officer/Official
    • Must include 194 days (1 year) teaching experience in the AQ subject area
    • Submit a completed Statement of Successful Teaching Experience during course registration

NOTE:

Teachers with Technological Education Qualifications may take three-part specialist courses in the following subjects:

  • Anti-Black Racism
  • Co-operative Education
  • Teaching English Language Learners (Formerly “English as a Second Language”)
  • Equitable and Inclusive Schools (Formerly “Inclusive Classroom”)
  • Guidance and Career Education
  • Special Education
  • Teacher Leadership

Non-Members of the Ontario College of Teachers

Participants who are not members of the Ontario College of Teachers are able to complete OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses for personal professional development purposes. A letter of completion will be issued at the end of the course but course completion will not be reported to the Ontario College of Teachers.

NOTE:

If OCT certification is obtained later, the course must be retaken to receive the qualification. Non-OCT participants will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging they understand they will not be awarded the AQ if they later become members of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Teacher Candidates and OCT Members with Transitional Certificates

Teacher candidates and OCT Members with Transitional or Multi-Session Transitional Certificates of Qualification and Registration are not eligible to take OSSTF/FEESO AQ Courses until they complete all components of their professional education program and their certificate has been converted to a general Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

Withdrawal, Refund & Transfer Policy

Important Terms:

Withdrawal: The process for a candidate to remove themself from a course before it is completed. To withdraw from a course, candidates need to complete the withdrawal form and submit it to the AQ Program Administrator. There are two (2) types of withdrawals:

  • Voluntary Withdrawal: The candidate chooses to withdraw from the course due to personal or professional reasons.
  • Administrative Withdrawal: OSSTF/FEESO withdraws the candidate from the course because the candidate has not fulfilled the prerequisites for enrollment by the course start date.

Transfer: An alternative to voluntary withdrawal. The candidate elects to transfer their enrollment to a future session of the same course offered within one calendar year.

Withdrawal Policy

Withdrawals

  • Candidates who choose to voluntarily withdraw from the course prior to the course start date will be refunded 100% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee, provided the withdrawal form is completed and received by the AQ Administrator.
  • Candidates who choose to voluntarily withdraw from the course after the course start date but before the end of the first week during the fall and spring session and three (3) days after course start in the summer session will be refunded 50% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee, provided a completed withdrawal form is received by the AQ Administrator
  • Candidates who are deemed ineligible for the course either due to not meeting the admission requirements or not submitting the Confirmation of Teaching Experience form signed by a supervisory officer will be administratively withdrawn from the course prior to the start of the course. Candidates who are administratively withdrawn will be refunded 100% of the course fee less a $50 processing fee.

Note

Only candidates who have submitted a completed withdrawal form to the AQ Administrator by the course withdrawal deadline will be considered withdrawn from the course. The following conditions do not constitute withdrawal:

  • Failure to attend classes or log on to the learning platform
  • Failure to participate in course-related activities
  • Communicating to the instructor that they are withdrawing from the course

Transfers

Candidates are able to transfer their enrollment to a future session of the same course instead of withdrawing from the course entirely. Transfer credits must be used in the succeeding two sessions. Transfers are granted as a one-time option, provided they are requested during the transfer window – after registration and before the end of the first week of the course for the fall and spring sessions, after registration and before the end of the third day of the course in the summer session. To request a transfer, candidates must submit a completed transfer form to the AQ Administrator. Once a request for transfer is approved, the candidate is not eligible for any refund.

Course Cancellation

In the event that a course needs to be cancelled due to low enrollment or other circumstance, a full refund will be issued.

Accessibility and Supports Policy

OSSTF/FEESO is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive learning environment for all participants. We recognize that adult learners bring diverse experiences and needs, and we strive to remove barriers to ensure equitable access to course content and participation.

Our Commitment to Accessibility

  • All course materials are compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
  • Subtitled and described video content is provided to support varied learning needs.
  • Text-to-speech assistive technology tools are available using the Texthelp Read and Write extension with the Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
  • Audio and video response options are available for discussion participation, allowing flexibility in communication styles.

Requesting Accommodations

We understand that accommodation needs may vary and evolve over time. If you require academic accommodations due to a documented disability or other accessibility needs, please contact us as early as possible to allow sufficient time for appropriate arrangements to be made. Please contact aq-admin@osstf.ca at least 2 weeks prior to the course start date to arrange for accommodations. If circumstances change during the course, please reach out to discuss possible supports.

Guiding Principles

  • Accommodations are designed to remove barriers and provide equitable access without altering essential course requirements or academic standards.
  • All requests are handled with confidentiality, respect, and professionalism.
  • OSSTF/FEESO aims to work collaboratively with each candidate to ensure their success while maintaining the integrity of the learning experience.

Candidate Technology Requirements

OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses use the D2L Brightspace Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Candidates will need a reliable internet connection and a computer with a browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which are freely available. Safari 5+ is also supported. Candidates will not be able to fully participate using a mobile phone.

Course Instructors and participants who require support with the Brightspace platform can contact aq-admin@osstf.ca for assistance.

Attendance Expectations

In accordance with the Ontario College of Teachers Act (1996) and Ontario Regulation 347/02 , all Additional Qualification (AQ) courses must include a minimum of 125 hours, comprising of 100 contact hours and 25 non-contact hours. OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses are delivered in an asynchronous online format, and attendance is defined by active and consistent participation in course activities within the Brightspace Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Candidates are expected to demonstrate attendance through timely completion of assignments, participation in discussion forums, engagement with course materials, and regular logins. Participation is monitored using Brightspace analytics, including login frequency, content access, and interaction with course components. Candidates are expected to engage with learning activities consistently. Clear timelines and staggered due dates are provided to support steady progress and discourage last-minute submissions. Instructors will maintain a visible presence through regular feedback, announcements, and discussion engagement.

Candidates who anticipate a disruption in participation due to professional or personal circumstances must notify the instructor in advance. Unexcused inactivity exceeding seven consecutive days without communication during the fall, winter, or spring sessions or two consecutive days in the summer session may result in follow-up and could impact successful course completion. Candidates who do not satisfy the attendance and participation requirements will not be submitted to the Ontario College of Teachers.

Assessment and Evaluation Policy

Includes Successful Course Completion Requirements

OSSTF/FEESO Additional Qualification (AQ) courses are primarily delivered in an online asynchronous format using the Brightspace VLE. Courses operate on a pass/fail basis, with no numerical grades assigned. A final rating of “Pass” requires a minimum achievement of Level 3 (75%) across all course components. Candidates must fully participate in and successfully complete each component of the course to pass.

Assessment in OSSTF/FEESO AQ courses is grounded in professional learning and reflective practice. It includes a variety of tasks, learning activities, and assignments to gather evidence of candidate learning. The purpose of assessment is to:

  • Support ongoing professional growth
  • Provide meaningful feedback
  • Ensure candidates meet clearly defined expectations

All assignments and learning activities will be evaluated using criterion-referenced rubrics and assessment tools. Each component will be evaluated against clearly communicated success criteria provided at the outset of the course and be rated:

  • Incomplete – Required components are missing or not submitted.
  • Not Yet Met – Work has been submitted but does not yet meet course expectations.
  • Met – Consistently meets course expectations and demonstrates required proficiency.

Instructors will provide ongoing feedback throughout the course.

To successfully complete the course, candidates must achieve a “Met” rating in all required areas and demonstrate a minimum standard of achievement equivalent to Level 3 (75%). Upon successful completion of the course, candidates will receive an official Letter of Completion confirming their achievement. OSSTF/FEESO cannot issue transcripts.

Criteria for AQ Instructors

OSSTF/FEESO is committed to delivering Additional Qualification (AQ) courses that reflect the highest standards of professional learning and instructional excellence. Instructors selected to lead these courses are experienced Ontario educators who bring deep subject matter expertise, pedagogical leadership, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.

All AQ instructors must hold a Specialist qualification or equivalent Master’s level courses in the relevant subject area and have a minimum of five years of teaching experience in Ontario secondary schools. They are certified by the Ontario College of Teachers and are members in good standing. Instructors also have demonstrated experience in delivering professional development and working effectively with adult learners in a variety of contexts.

In addition to these foundational qualifications, instructors bring recent and relevant teaching experience in their subject area, a strong understanding of Ministry of Education priorities, and a commitment to current, research-informed instructional, assessment, and evaluation practices. They demonstrate leadership within learning communities and possess strong interpersonal and collaborative skills. Importantly, instructors must actively engage in anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally responsive teaching practices, and foster inclusive learning environments that reflect the diverse identities and experiences of all learners.

Privacy Policy

OSSTF/FEESO respects the privacy of its members and participants in the OSSTF/FEESO AQ Program. The information we collect is held in strict confidence and used only for completion of OSSTF/FEESO business. We do not sell personal information to third parties or share identifiable information outside of the organization except where required to complete the business of the organization, and then only with trusted partners equally committed and accountable for respecting and maintaining the privacy of OSSTF/FEESO members and OSSTF AQ participants.

Among other uses, OSSTF/FEESO uses your collected information to update our database system and to ensure appropriate communications for our programs, meetings and conferences. If you have any questions regarding this privacy statement or the sharing of personal information with OSSTF/FEESO, please do not hesitate to contact us at Provincial Office at 1-800-267-7867.

Academic Integrity Policy

All participants in OSSTF/FEESO Additional Qualification (AQ) courses are expected to adhere to the Standards of Practice of the Teaching Profession and uphold the highest standards of academic honesty and professional integrity.

Academic dishonesty - including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, and misrepresentation of work - is strictly prohibited. These actions undermine the credibility of the profession and the integrity of the learning environment. By enrolling in an OSSTF/FEESO AQ course, participants affirm their commitment to ethical conduct and responsible scholarship.

Violations will be addressed seriously and may result in disciplinary action. Candidates found guilty of academic dishonesty will not be recommended for course completion to the OCT and course fees will not be refunded. Candidates may appeal decisions; please see the Appeal Policy for details about the appeal process.

Appeal Process

Course participants have the right to appeal procedure, issues, assessment/evaluation practices and decisions related to the candidate’s progress in the course. Candidates wishing to make an appeal will follow this procedure:

  1. Appeal to the Course Instructor

    Candidates should first attempt to resolve their issue directly with the course instructor. Instructors are receptive to candidate concerns and will work with candidates to resolve the issue.

    If a candidate is uncomfortable approaching the instructor for whatever reason, candidates can consult with aq-admin@osstf.ca for guidance.

  2. Appeal to the Provincial AQ Coordinator

    If candidates cannot resolve their issue directly by working with the instructor, they can request an appeal to the AQ Coordinator. Their request to the AQ Coordinator must outline their specific request/concern, indicate how they have attempted to resolve the issue with the instructor, the outcome, and any relevant communications and documents.

    The AQ Coordinator will investigate and provide the candidate with a written ruling, copied to the course instructor, within 30 days of receipt of the written appeal.

    NOTE: Any participant who receives an incomplete for the course is invited to discuss their status with the AQ Coordinator

  3. Final Written Appeal to TEAC

    If the candidate believes their issue has not been fully resolved with the AQ Coordinator’s decision, they may make a final written appeal to the Chair of the Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC). The committee will meet to review the appeal and make a decision. The written decision will be forwarded to the candidate and copied to the course instructor. The administrative committee’s decisions are final. Decisions will be made by TEAC within 30 days of receipt of the written appeal.