Anonymous #228

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #228

Where are you located?

Australian Capital Territory

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Secondary

What is your occupation?

Teacher

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

These campaigns should focus on the core role of teachers - Education not and limit expectations of the other services that teacher provide such as wellbeing, social, and emotional supports.

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

They may increase supply to ITE
They may increase completion rates
They WILL NOT increase the number of teachers staying or returning to the profession as they DO NOT address any teacher workload issues. They are focused on selling the profession based on its current state of practice rather than addressing the core reasons for teachers leaving.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

ITE teacher should spend longer in schools with teacher mentors who are provided time and resources to develop ITE teachers professional practice when on practicum/placement.

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Strongly disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Most of these suggestions have been Implemented (Student Administration System in the ACT) already and have not lead to reduced teacher workload but have increased reporting requirements of student incidents and wellbeing as this data has historically not been recorded for every individual student for every individual incident. Expectations around the tracking of students (to make data informed decisions) has increased dramatically with the introduction of these new digital systems as they allow the recording and tracking of data that was previously unavailable.

Suggested reports will not be actioned until possibly 2025 which does not support the profession over the next 3-5 years while the recommendations are implemented (If they get implemented).

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Moderately effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

These will be effective and good data to collect. Again the strategies do not have actionable items based on the workforce data that we already know.

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

HALT accreditation is widely thought of as a waste of time, Limited financial benefit, large allocation of personal time, and then greater expectation as to school responsibilities.