AERA Annual Meeting, Philadelphia
April 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, Philadelphia
April 3 – 7 2014
Enhancing Teacher Quality:
Developing and Implementing Nationally Consistent
Professional Standards for Teachers in Australia
Establishing national standards: Policy rationale
Anne Loos
Manager – Research and Evaluation
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
anne.loos@aitsl.edu.au
Australian Context
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290,854 teachers
9,435 schools
Three sectors
Eight jurisdictions
National reform
Policy Background and Rationale
Professional 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:
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Define and maintain standards
Lead and influence improvement
Support and recognise quality
We don’t...
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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:
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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
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National and international
Excellence in Teaching and School
Leadership: Policy platforms
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
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
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Define the work of teachers and make explicit the elements of
high quality, effective teaching in 21st Century schools
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A public statement of what constitutes teacher quality
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Articulate what teachers are expected to know and do at four
career stages
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Provide a common understanding & language
The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Dual purpose:
 improvement
 career progression
Map progression:
 Graduate
 Proficient
 Highly Accomplished
 Lead
2010
2011
2012
2013
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2003 – National Standards Framework
2008 – Melbourne Declaration
National Standards Subgroup
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Establishment of AITSL
Consultation
Validation and Endorsement
Policy Endorsement
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Implementation commenced
Pilots – Phase 1
Illustrations of Practice
Website Development
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Self-Assessment Tool
Pilots – Phase 2
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Certification – Assessor Training
Evaluation of the Implementation of the
Standards (3 year evaluation)
Teacher Toolkit
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2014
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Classroom Practice Continuum Observation
Teacher Induction – in progress
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
Feb 2011
Accreditation of Initial Teacher Education Programs
Apr 2011
Australian Professional Standard for Principals
Jul 2011
Nationally Consistent Teacher Registration
Oct 2011
Certification of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers
Apr 2012
Teacher Performance and Development Framework
Aug 2012
Charter for the Professional Learning of Teachers and
School Leaders
Aug 2012
Implementation Support
Teacher Toolkit
The one place
where AITSL’s
online tools and
resources for
teachers can be
found.
Illustrations of Practice
• bring the Standards to
life
• situate teachers within
the Standards
• a resource to support
professional learning
• basis for discussion and
reflection
View an IOP
Self Assessment Tool (SAT)
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Teachers situate themselves in the Standards
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Formative tool used by teachers considering Certification
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Professional Learning Planner
Professional Learning
A professional learning
planner to support
teacher’s meet
performance and
development goals based
on the Standards and
aligned to school goals
Performance and Development Framework
Nationally Consistent Registration of Teachers
Meeting the Standards
and criteria for full
registration
Certification Evidence
Provides detailed examples
Australian Professional Standard for Principals
Coming soon
Leadership
Development
Continuum
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
The Standards
From the profession, for the profession
Connecting with AITSL
@aitsl
www. facebook.com/aitsl
www.youtube.com/aitsleduau
www.linkedin.com/company/2911909
www.teacherstandards.aitsl.edu.au
teacherstandards@aitsl.edu.au