As a result of the publication of the report written by the Teacher Education Expert Panel, the ministers in charge of education have agreed in principle about significant changes to how we educate future teachers.
Minister for Education Jason Clare established the Panel to better prepare teachers for the classroom, which Professor Mark Scott is directing. The panel’s purpose is to provide advice on improving initial teacher education (ITE), which can be found here.
The following observation is made in the report: “Too many beginning teachers have reported that they felt they needed to be better equipped for the challenges they faced in the classroom on starting their teaching careers.”
It is made abundantly obvious in the research that if all ITE students are taught and able to implement the most effective teaching approaches, not only will teachers be more prepared for the classroom, but they will also be more likely to remain in the profession.
Improving the training that teachers receive at university is one of the most effective methods to assist teachers from the moment they enter the profession.
According to the findings of the study, “an increase of just ten percentage points in ITE retention rates would result in nearly three thousand additional graduates” each and every year.
The report includes 14 recommendations that cover four primary areas that need to be improved. The goals that the suggested changes are trying to accomplish are:
Improve beginning teacher education programs by, among other things, defining and including core curriculum, as well as making its inclusion a requirement for achieving national accreditation.
Establish a more direct connection between the success of initial teacher education programs and the amount of financing they receive. As part of this, an ITE Quality Assurance Board should be created to oversee the quality and uniformity of ITE programs and the results they produce.
Enhance the practical teaching experience by carrying out measures such as better coordinating the delivery of the practical experience in accordance with national norms and providing professional recognition to teachers who act as mentors for students in the ITE program.
Improve postgraduate education for teachers who are entering the profession in the middle of their careers, including the creation and expansion of high-quality mid-career programs such as paid, employment-based routes.
“Our teachers are amazing, and I truly believe that being a teacher is one of the most important jobs in the world,” said Jason Clare, Minister of Education.
The work of teaching is difficult and complex, and this is all about making sure that they are better equipped from the very beginning of their careers.
“A significant number of educators have relayed to me that they did not have the impression that they were ready for the classroom when they graduated from university.
“That their university program did not adequately prepare them to teach things like literacy and numeracy and manage classroom behaviour, and that their practicum was not up to par.”
“The purpose of this report is to address that issue.
“If we are successful in our endeavour, a greater number of student teachers will graduate with their degrees, and an increased number of instructors will remain in the field.
I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Scott and the other members of the Panel for all of the hard work that they put into drafting and delivering this report.
Professor Mark Scott AO, who serves as chair of the Teacher Education Expert Panel:
However, despite the difficulties they face on the job, teachers are able to make a significant impact on the lives of the children and young people in our society.
When it comes to the education of their students, teachers have the most significant influence. We aim to make sure that all new instructors are able to understand and implement the most effective methods of instruction that are currently available.
The recommendations made by the Panel will help new teachers make a smooth transition into the profession and will increase the likelihood that they will remain in the field. The recommendations will make a significant contribution toward overcoming difficulties caused by a lack of available workers.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the many stakeholders who engaged the Panel in a constructive manner throughout the entirety of this review. I would also like to express my gratitude to my fellow Panel members who supported this important work.”
