The Council on Alberta Teaching Standards (COATS) was established in 1985 by Ministerial Order. Its mandate has since been reaffirmed, and COATS continues to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister on matters related to teaching, including:

The Council conducts its activities in ways that are designed to foster, encourage and enhance partnerships within the education learning community to provide the best possible education for Alberta students.

The duties of the Council shall include the following:

1. 1. make recommendations to the Minister regarding the Certification of Teachers Regulation and its application;
   2. review and assess the implications of theory, policy, practice and outcomes related to teacher certification and to make recommendations to the Minister;
   3. make recommendations to the Minister regarding projects, activities and studies on any and all matters related to teacher certification.
2. 1. make recommendations to the Minister regarding teacher education including teacher preparation, teacher induction and teacher continuing education;
   2. review and assess the implications of theory, policy, practice and outcomes elated to teacher education and to make recommendations to the Minister;
   3. make recommendations to the Minister regarding projects, activities and studies on any and all matters related to teacher education.
3. 1. make recommendations to the Minister regarding the Practice Review of Teachers Regulation and its application;
   2. review and assess the implications of theory, policy, practice and outcomes related to practice review and to make recommendations to the Minister;
   3. make recommendations to the Minister regarding projects, activities and studies on any and all maters related to practice review;
   4. conduct such activities as Council may be directed to conduct under the Practice Review of Teachers Regulation.

4. make recommendations to the Minister regarding programs and activities for the purpose of recognizing and promoting excellence in teaching and school

5. conduct activities that will encourage, facilitate and enhance partnerships among educational organizations

6. make recommendations to the Minister regarding the establishment of committees to advise the Council

7. conduct, supervise and oversee projects, studies, activities and programs if directed to do so by the Minister

8. undertake any other duties or function directed by the Minister.

   Eleven COATS members are named by the Minister further to nominations received from:

   Alberta Learning (1 member)

   Alberta School Boards Association (1 member)

   Alberta Teachers' Association (1 member)

   College of Alberta School Superintendents (1 member)

   Universities Coordinating Council (1 member)

   Practicing Teachers (5 members are selected from among those who apply)

   Member of the General Public (1 member is selected from among those who apply)