What is a New Scheme Teacher?
New Scheme teachers require accreditation with the NSW Institute of Teachers. (IOT)
A New Scheme teacher is one who has never been employed to teach in NSW before 1 October, 2004.
What if I had been a casual teacher prior to October 2004?
Providing that the casual teaching has occurred within the last 5 years, accreditation with the IOT is not required.
Casual and temporary teachers returning to the DET following a break in service of 5 years are required to undergo the accreditation process.
How long do I have to become accredited?
The IOT has determined that casual and temporary teachers seeking accreditation at the Professional Competence level will have a maximum period of 5 years in which to become accredited. If because of the pattern of your work, or for some other reason, you are unable to meet this requirement, you can apply for an extension of time. The Institute lists the following as examples of circumstances that might warrant such an extension: lack of a reasonable opportunity to present for accreditation; child rearing or home care responsibilities; sickness or misadventure; other appropriate professional circumstances.
What does accreditation involve? How is a New Scheme Teacher assessed?
A casual or temporary New Scheme teacher will be considered for accreditation when:
- They have met the teaching requirements
- To be considered for accreditation at professional competence, casual and temporary teachers will need to meet the IOT requirement. The IOT policy states that, "as a guide, casual, temporary and part-time teachers should complete at least 180 full time equivalent days of teaching" in NSW schools. This should include a period of continuous teaching (either full time or part time) within a single school. This period can occur within the 180 days and could comprise one to four days over two to five terms. The DET requirement of at least 195 days with a period of continuous teaching (either full time or part-time) equivalent to at least one full term, over a period of no more than three school terms, is inconsistent with the Institute policy. The Federation will be taking this up with the DET.
- Teaching experience can be verified by maintaining a record of casual and temporary employment in any NSW school. This can be recorded through pay advice slips.
- They have collected appropriate evidence
The Federation is concerned at reports of unreasonable workloads being imposed upon beginning teachers as part of the accreditation procedures set by the Institute of Teachers and DET. Many of these demands seem to be based on a misunderstanding of the requirements of both the Institute and DET. Recently the Federation sought clear advice from the Institute and was provided with the following:
- The report is not a portfolio.
- A teacher's documentary evidence is designed to support the Accreditation Report.
- Only include evidence that has been developed in the course of your teaching practice - the Institute does not require special material.
- Only include evidence that has been developed substantially by you.
- Include evidence that aligns to elements, not individual standards.
- One piece of evidence may be sufficient to meet a number of elements.
- In some elements, such as element 4, you may not have any documentary evidence. That's OK.
- Use the Information for New Scheme Teachers Handbook. Page 12 of this document includes a table entitled "Evidence for your Accreditation Report". It describes about 14 types of documentary evidence that can be included in the New Scheme teacher's Accreditation Report.
- Your evidence should fit into an A4 plastic sleeve.
This advice is consistent with advice provided by the DET. For example, the DET document Suggestions for Collecting Evidence of Achievement of Professional Competence Standards states that your supporting evidence should be of "a manageable quantity -can be contained within one plastic sleeve". The same document also states: "One piece of evidence is sufficient for each standard; however [DET emphasis] one piece of documentary evidence may be used to demonstrate multiple standards."
- The Accreditation Report has been completed
At the end of the casual or temporary teaching block the Principal will write the Principal's Report on New Scheme Teacher [Attachment T1 - Procedures for Managing Probationary Teachers (2005)] reporting against the seven elements of the professional teaching standards at professional competence level. This report along with the New Scheme teacher's collection of evidence is sent to the School Education Director (SED) for consideration.
How does the Principal know I want to apply to be considered for accreditation with the Institute of Teachers?
Casual or Temporary teachers should inform the Principal at the start of the teaching block that they would like this block to be considered for accreditation.
Casual or temporary teachers should list the schools and areas in which the teaching requirement has been met and provide pay advice slips verifying the dates of employment as a casual and/or temporary teacher.
What happens if I move schools?
It is the responsibility of the New Scheme Teacher to maintain the evidence relating to their accreditation. It is important to keep all the relevant documentation if you work across a number of schools.
Who will provide me with support during the accreditation process?
The principal should appoint a "supervising" teacher to provide support for casual and temporary teachers undertaking the accreditation process.
What happens after the Principal has completed the accreditation report?
The Accreditation Report, along with the New Scheme teacher's collection of evidence, should be forwarded to the relevant School Education Director for consideration in making the decision regarding accreditation.
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