Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network

Submitter information

Name

Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network

Where are you located?

Queensland

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)

No

Elevating the profession

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

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

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

There is only one reference to strengthening teacher training in the area of working with families/carers (Action 10, dot point 3).

QIS Parents Network believes there needs to be a much greater focus on parent engagement in initial teacher training, as well as in the postgraduate teacher education for mid-career entrants.
Research over the last 60 years shows enormous academic and wellbeing benefits for students when teachers effectively engage with parents/carers about a child’s learning.
Anecdotally, we know little time is spent in undergraduate teaching degrees on the practice of parent engagement, resulting in graduates entering classrooms with limited knowledge (or confidence) in how to engage parents effectively, nor the benefits for themselves, parents and students when it’s done well.
On-the-job teacher training in parent/carer engagement is therefore highly dependent on the knowledge of the supervising principal and school mentors, which we know is inconsistent.

We advocate for:

1. A greater focus on evidence-based parent engagement practice in initial teacher education training and that parent engagement also be taught as part of postgraduate teacher education training

2. The value of parent/family engagement is promoted more widely in the teaching profession and community

3. Greater assistance for schools and teachers in the ‘how-to’ of parent engagement. There is much written about the need for teachers to better engage parents/carers in the learning process, but very little support in ‘how’. Parent engagement practices are unique to a school’s community and context, so a one-size fits all strategy isn’t possible.

In Queensland, the Engaging Parents in Curriculum (EPIC) research project is assisting Queensland independent schools in effective parent engagement practices, with encouraging results. EPIC is demystifying the practice of effective parent engagement, while also delivering a suite of resources helping to show how teachers and parents can work better together for the benefit of all students.

More information about EPIC can be found here: https://www.isq.qld.edu.au/EPIC_research

Maximising the time to teach

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

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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?

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

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.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?