By Anita : Teachers in every Australian school will have a yearly performance assessment which will include classroom observation and evidence of student outcomes, under proposals released for consultation today.
The draft Australian Teacher Performance and Development Framework, developed by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL), proposes that teachers set performance goals every year and demonstrate how those goals have been met.
School Education Minister Peter Garrett said the final framework will be implemented in Australian schools from 2013.
“Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the country. It’s vital that our teachers have the opportunity to both demonstrate their skills and improve their classroom practice through regular and effective feedback, professional growth and development, and performance assessment, but until now this has not been consistently occurring in our schools,” he said.
“The draft framework released today will provide the first national set of guidelines for performance assessments for the teaching profession. Teachers will have a clear understanding of what they will be expected to achieve every year, and a clear understanding of how their performance will be measured.
“This will allow our many terrific teachers to demonstrate how well they are performing and the positive results they are producing, while also providing opportunities to improve their skills where needed.”
Under the draft framework, every teacher will have a set of documented, measurable and specific goals for the year, which will be agreed with their school principal or a delegate.
Teachers will be able to collect evidence that they are achieving their objectives. This could include improved student results; feedback from students, parents, and their peers or supervisor; and direct observation of their classroom teaching.
Every teacher will receive a formal review of their performance each year by their principal or delegate, as well as regular informal and constructive feedback and support throughout the year.
Mr Garrett said that the progress of the draft framework was noted by all Australian education ministers last week and AITSL will now hold a national consultation during the next three months. A final framework will be agreed in August this year before implementation next year.
“The Gillard Government has made investing in quality teaching one of our priorities,” he said.
“We’ve provided $550 million through the Improving Teacher Quality National Partnership with the states and territories, and worked with AITSL and school sectors to introduce the first ever national professional standards for both teachers and principals.
“And last week school education ministers endorsed the new national approach to certifying Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers, which will be implemented from next year. Teachers who achieve certification will be eligible for a bonus payment under the Gillard Government’s Rewards for Great Teachers scheme – $7500 for a Highly Accomplished teacher and $10,000 for a Lead teacher.
“Teachers who regularly do well in their annual assessments will be encouraged to apply for certification under the bonus payments scheme as a reward for their great work.
“There is ample evidence about the importance of quality teaching in lifting overall education results. This is the next important step in ensuring that we have the best teachers in every Australian classroom.”