Institute implemented in indecent haste

By Jennifer Leete

Federation has expressed its alarm at indecent haste to apply provisions of the NSW Institute of Teachers Act 2004.

This is despite the fact many of the other provisions of the Act have not yet been implemented.

Federation opposed this legislation because:

• the Board of Governance has no representation by teachers
• the Quality Teaching Council, which does have representation by teachers, is sidelined in the decision-making process
• the Minister for Education and Training has absolute decision-making authority
• employers of teachers, including individual non-government schools and the Director-General of the Department of Education and Training (DET), are granted power as teacher accreditation authorities in relation to the application of the teaching standards.

Federation has sought the suspension of decision-making activities carried out under the name of the NSW Institute of Teachers until practising teachers can be elected to the Quality Teaching Council, whose function is to provide advice on educational and professional matters. Such elections are not expected to occur until September this year.

During Term 1, 2005, the NSW Institute of Teachers distributed its Professional Teaching Standards document to all schools. This document details the Institute's standards for "graduate teacher" "professional competence" "professional accomplishment" and "professional leadership".

Federation members need to be aware that only the standards for "graduate teacher" and "professional competence" have been endorsed by the Minister. The other standards remain in draft form. Further, only the standard for "professional competence" is mandatory for teachers who meet the definition of "new scheme teachers" under the Institute's legislation.

Federation members are instructed to engage in no activities or discussions in schools on the so-called higher standard of professional accomplishment or professional leadership.

DET has recently changed its "Procedures for Managing Probationary Teachers" arising from the Institute of Teachers arrangements. DET has adopted the standard for "professional competence" as the basis on which assessment of teachers in their probationary year will now take place. This means that "new scheme teachers" who are in a "permanent on probation" appointment in a DET school will be required to demonstrate that they meet the standard for "professional competence" after one year, rather than three.

Federation is currently preparing detailed written advice for probationary and new scheme teachers, including those in casual and/or temporary employment. Written advice is also being prepared for principals, executives and other staff working with and supporting beginning teachers. In the interim all members are reminded that no additional workload above and beyond that previously required in relation to probationary teachers is necessary and therefore should not be undertaken. This applies both to probationary teachers and executive and other teachers who are working with them.

Until after the formation of the Quality Teaching Council (expected to be in September 2005) members are asked not to participate in surveys, consultations or briefings by the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

For further information

June 2005 contents