Pedagogy documents not mandatory

JENNIFER LEETE examines some new DET documents.

In June 2003 the Department of Education and Training (DET) distributed "Quality teaching in NSW public schools: Discussion Paper". This is not a mandatory document. The DET discussion paper was produced in collaboration with Dr James Ladwig and Professor Jennifer Gore from Newcastle University and is a further development of the work they did in Queensland as part of their "Productive Pedagogies" research.

The 'second phase' of the NSW project was the production of a classroom practice guide along with videos, DVDs and other documents.

The classroom practice guide elaborates the 18 elements of a NSW model of pedagogy in terms of a description of each element, a 1-5 coding scale to be used when observing teaching practices, and suggestions about teaching in relation to each element.

Earlier in 2005 the Department distributed Quality teaching in NSW public schools: continuing the discussion about assessment practice and Quality teaching in NSW public schools: An assessment practice guide. These documents attempt to identify and describe quality assessment practices.

While many school staffs have found these materials useful, it must be emphasised that none of them are mandatory. Further, they can only be used effectively if teachers are given sufficient time, for example through use of professional learning funds to release people from class, and if there is a positive climate of collegial trust and goodwill in the school.

A number of members have raised concern about the use of the 1-5 coding system as part of classroom observation activities proposed in the materials. Federation raised these concerns with DET and this led to the following words appearing in the Classroom Practice Guide: "It is important to reiterate that the purpose of this guide is to support teacher professional learning and practice. The coding process described in this guide should only be used where teachers have agreed to its use in relation to their work. This guide is not intended to be used for the purpose of teacher assessment. Any attempt to use it for this purpose has the potential to undermine its value in supporting teacher professional learning and dialogue."

Federation understands that a number of schools are using the materials arising from grants of up to $15,000 for schools to work with university sector colleagues which have been provided under the Australian Government's Quality Teacher Program.

Federation obviously supports collegial reflection on classroom practice with appropriate resources and time provided. The union is represented on an advisory committee for a research project called SIPA (Systemic Implications of Pedagogy and Achievement in NSW Public Schools) also involving Dr Ladwig and Professor Gore. Many of the schools voluntarily involved in this project are engaged in positive professional learning using the Quality Teaching materials.

The union, however, continues to receive inquiries about the potential for the Quality Teaching materials to be misused for teacher assessment, for example, by way of the Teacher Assessment Review Schedule (TARS). This is unacceptable.

Federation's clear advice is that if there is any attempt to use the materials for teacher assessment purposes, Federation members should immediately discontinue their use and report the matter to Federation.

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

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August 2005 contents