Anonymous #356

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #356

Where are you located?

Australian Capital Territory

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

School leader

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There is nothing here about elevating the quality of teaching. Most people do not want to become a teacher because the teachers they had while they were in school were not inspiring.

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Raising the bar - of ATAR of criteria - when you increase numbers you risk diluting quality.

We shouldn't need to get teachers to sit a literacy and numeracy test if they have an ATAR that is above at least 80!!!

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There needs to be a complete overhaul - refer to investigation led by Lisa Paul which has robust recommendations

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

This again needs to link to teacher quality - if you are collaborating with quality teachers then your work satisfaction will increase and load will decrease.

For over 10 years, I worked with teachers who were not highly effective and would drag me down.

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Moderately effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

We need to increase accountability for teachers - if they want less teaching time, then that needs to come with something in return - like being observed or providing documentation that proves high-quality instruction.

Also, in Australia our class to teacher ratio is 1:2 - it should be 1:1.5 approximately. What do teachers say about this?

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?