Teacher education review calls for critical reform

13 Feb 2015 Media release

Minister for Education and Training the Hon Christopher Pyne MP has today released the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group report on teacher education and the Government’s response.

The report, Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers, and the Government response is a blueprint for critical and lasting reform of teacher education.

“High quality teacher education is a feature of the top performing education systems around the world and is a key pillar in the Australian Government’s Students First policy,” Mr Pyne said.

“My strong expectation is that this report can make a great contribution to improving teacher education in this country.

“The report sets high expectations for everyone involved in initial teacher education including universities. It also makes a clear case that providers be held accountable for the quality of the teaching graduates they produce.”

Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers was prepared by the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group, led by Professor Greg Craven. The Advisory Group was asked to make practical recommendations on improving teacher education programmes to better prepare teachers with the skills they need for the classroom.

The report recommends improvement in both the content and delivery of programmes by universities through stronger partnerships with education systems and schools.

Key recommendations of the report include:

  • A test to assess the literacy and numeracy skills of all teaching graduates
  • A requirement for universities to demonstrate that their graduates are classroom ready before gaining full course accreditation.
  • An overhaul of the in class practical element of teaching degrees
  • A specialisation for primary school teachers with a focus on STEM and languages
  • Universities publish all information about how they select students into teacher education programmes

The Government has responded accepting most of the recommendations in the report and instructed the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership to act immediately.

The Advisory Group received over 170 submissions which were complemented by consultation meetings with representatives from the education community, including teacher education providers, professional organisations and teacher employers. The Advisory Group also examined national and international research.

Mr Pyne thanked the members of the Advisory Group for their work.

“I hope my state and territory colleagues will join with us to make sure all beginning teachers have the skills they need and deserve to deliver positive education outcomes for students,” Mr Pyne said.

Under the Students First approach the Government is focusing on four areas to make a positive difference to students:

  • teacher quality
  • school autonomy
  • engaging parents in education
  • strengthening the curriculum.

To view the report and recommendations or for more information visit: http://www.studentsfirst.gov.au/teacher-education-ministerial-advisory-group.


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