ACDE Welcomes Due Recognition of Teachers
On World Teachers Day (October 28) , the Australian Council of Deans of Education welcomes the much-needed recognition of the importance of teachers to Australia’s future.
‘Our dedicated teachers are often criticised unfairly so it is wonderful to hear them praised for their work by political leaders and others who understand their true worth,’ACDE President Professor Tania Aspland says.
‘However, it’s critical that we continue to strive for the highest possible quality of teaching in Australia.
‘This includes evidence-based, effective ways to enable greater participation of under-represented cohorts so our teachers reflect the diversity of the students they teach,’ ACDE President, Professor Tania Aspland, says.
Other areas in need of sustained focus are:
- Re-energising the teaching profession by addressing the current ageing profile and large gender imbalance of the teaching workforce;
- Helping to build career opportunities for teaching graduates at a time when the increasing casualisation of the workforce is disproportionately impacting early career teachers, many of whom leave teaching within five years of graduation;
- Ensuring teachers have access to rigorous professional development and life-long learning so they are able to maintain the teaching qualities and skills outlined in their Professional Standards;
- Inspiring innovation in tertiary teacher education and schools;
- Improving the public image of, and celebrating achievements in, the teaching profession so it is rightly viewed as a desirable profession critical to future generations and Australia’s prosperity;
- Endorsing multiple accountable and rigorous forms of entry to teacher education courses – a suite of selection procedures that represent both the academic abilities and positive, non-academic traits required to make inspiring teachers;
- Rigorous and transparent sub-Bachelor programs that provide access to higher education for disadvantaged students or mature-age students.
Further information: ACDE Executive Director, David Templeman. 0431 283 969
