AERA Annual Meeting, PhiladelphiaApril 3 – 7 2014
Committee Session 70.015
Enhancing Teacher Quality: Developing and Implementing Nationally Consistent Professional
Standards for Teachers in Australia
Presentation Organisation
1. Establishing national standards: Policy rationale
2. Validation of the Standards
3. Piloting Implementation of National Standards – Preparation, Process and Product
4. Policy and Praxis: The Assessor Training Program
AERA Annual Meeting, PhiladelphiaApril 3 – 7 2014
Enhancing Teacher Quality: Developing and Implementing Nationally Consistent
Professional Standards for Teachers in Australia
Establishing national standards: Policy rationale
Anne LoosManager – Research and Evaluation
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Australian Context
• 290,854 teachers• 9,435 schools• Three sectors• Eight jurisdictions• National reform
Policy Background and RationaleProfessional teaching standards have existed in most
Australian jurisdictions for many years.
2003: COAG - All Education Ministers – National Framework for Professional Standards for Teaching
2008: COAG – Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians
Explicit aim to “attract, develop, support and retain a high quality teaching and school leadership workforce in Australian schools.”
2009: National Standards Subgroup – Work on these National Standards began
2010: Establishment of AITSL – Remit to finalise the development of the National Standards
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
AITSL’s mission is to promote excellence in teacher and school leader practice for the benefit of all young Australians.
AITSL works with the education community to:
• Define and maintain standards• Lead and influence improvement• Support and recognise quality
We don’t...
• Act as a regulator• Produce educational resources for use
by children• Employ teachers• Formulate the national curriculum
Education Partners
All key education stakeholders across Australia:
• Practitioners – teachers, school leaders, teacher educators, pre-service teachers
• Federal and state/territory governments• School system bodies and schools – Government, Catholic and Independent• Teacher regulatory authorities• Higher Education Institutes• Unions• Principal, professional and parent associations• National bodies – such as national curriculum authority (ACARA)• Research bodies and experts in the field
– National and international
The development of the Standards is an integral part of ensuring quality learning and teaching in Australian schools.
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers February 2011
Define the work of teachers and make explicit the elements of high quality, effective teaching in 21st Century schools
A public statement of what constitutes teacher quality
Articulate what teachers are expected to know and do at four career stages
Provide a common understanding & language
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Dual purpose: improvement career progression
Map progression: Graduate Proficient Highly Accomplished Lead
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
A Brief History
2014
• 2003 – National Standards Framework• 2008 – Melbourne Declaration• National Standards Subgroup
• Establishment of AITSL• Consultation• Validation and Endorsement
• Implementation commenced• Pilots – Phase 1• Illustrations of Practice• Website Development
• Self-Assessment Tool• Pilots – Phase 2
• Certification – Assessor Training• Evaluation of the Implementation of the
Standards (3 year evaluation)• Teacher Toolkit
• Classroom Practice Continuum - Observation
• Teacher Induction – in progress
2012
2011
2010
2013
Policy EndorsementAustralian Professional Standards for TeachersFeb 2011Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education ProgramsApr 2011Australian Professional Standard for PrincipalsJul 2011Nationally Consistent Teacher RegistrationOct 2011Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead TeachersApr 2012Teacher Performance and Development FrameworkAug 2012Charter for the Professional Learning of Teachers and School LeadersAug 2012
• bring the Standards to life
• situate teachers within the Standards
• a resource to support professional learning
• basis for discussion and reflection
Illustrations of Practice
View an IOP
• Teachers situate themselves in the Standards
• Formative tool used by teachers considering Certification
• Professional Learning Planner
Self Assessment Tool (SAT)
A professional learning planner to support teacher’s meet performance and development goals based on the Standards and aligned to school goals
Professional Learning
Nationally Consistent Registration of Teachers
Meeting the Standards and criteria for full registration
Teacher Feature Great Teaching Ideas
Student Voice
Three places for teachers to join education conversations and share ideas
Classroom Practice Continuum:Observation Framework
• Based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
• An important tool for ensuring an effective performance and development culture within schools
Teacher Standards App
• The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers available on mobiles and tablets
• A resource to collect and annotate evidence aligned to the Standards
Coming soon
@aitsl
www. facebook.com/aitsl
www.youtube.com/aitsleduau
www.linkedin.com/company/2911909
www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au
Connecting with AITSL