Demographic disparities have been found in completion rates for the math test that Ontario teacher candidates must take as part of their certification process, according to the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF). In their analysis of one year of testing data, the OTF found that 82% of candidates passed the test within two tries, while certain racialized groups, French-language speakers, and older candidates had lower success rates. OTF President Chris Cowley took issue with the test, which he says does not reflect teacher candidates’ ability to teach, and argued that “teacher candidates are better served by receiving instruction in mathematics during their initial program at faculties of education.” An ON ministry spokesperson told CBC that the test was designed to set a “clear and consistent standard” for teachers.
