Ontario insists that all new accredited teachers must pass a Math Proficiency Test before they can teach

BY PAUL JUNOR

The PC-led provincial government has mandated that all new accredited teachers in Ontario passes a Math Proficiency Test (MPT) before they can teach in Ontario schools. The legislation was rushed through the Ontario legislature and received royal assent in September 2020. The test comprises of 75 questions with 50 of them based on mathematics content and 21 on pedagogy. There will be four field test questions that will not be counted according to the website: mathproficiencytest.ca.

The Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) designed the test with the help of Ontario teachers and representatives from Ontario Faculties of Education. It is described as “A computer-based test that may be administered in person or remotely by a post-secondary institution providing a program of professional education accredited by the College of Teachers or an approved test score.”

The MPT is mandatory for teachers certified after March 31^st, 2021 and the Ministry of  Education released a memo to provide updated information to those who will have to write the MPT. Prospective teachers were able to write the test online as of May 3^rd, 2021 and those who choose to write it in-person will have to wait until Ontario’s stay-at-home order is removed. They can write the test as many times as possible before the deadline of August 31^st, 2021.

There has been much opposition to this MPT by the education unions since the test was announced. Ontario Teachers Federation (OTF) and other unions have stated;

• Ontario students do not have an achievement in math problems
• There is little empirical evidence that standardized teacher tests have a positive correlation to teaching effectiveness or student achievement
• Any math proficiency assessment should be an integral part of their teacher education program, with opportunities for support as needed

The education union OSSTF in a letter to its members has expressed concerns about the possibility of teacher candidates who are not successful on the test being not able to teach in Ontario. Ontario Teachers Candidates’ Council (OTCC) was formed in early March 2019. It was started, “In response to the MPT which was made mandatory for the qualification of new teachers.” The website states, “We believe that this test is not equitable, fair, justified or backed by data. The EQAO office has been rushed into creating a massive test in just months.”

The OTCC has launched a legal challenge against the MPT and has started a fundraiser at GoFundMe to raise funds. As of Sunday, May 9^th, it had raised $10 390 out of a projected total of $35 000. OTCC notes that approximately 7,000 new teachers are potentially in danger of not obtaining their Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) if they do not pass the test.

Details can be seen at Gofundme.com, which notes, “Despite numerous attempts to communicate with the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece, teacher candidates, faculties of education, and various teacher federations were ignored. Expert testimony during the legislative process was also ignored. Students were left with no other recourse except to take legal action.”