- Related consultation
- Submission received
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Submitter information
Name
Parents Victoria Inc.
Where are you located?
Victoria
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.
Somewhat agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
1) Whatever the Campaign it’s critically important the landing page for the prospective teacher can navigate the information with ease and suggest a national support centre to problem solve any Qs aspiring applicants have.
** Challenges already presenting with other sectors/jurisdictions “poaching” teachers from other schools with remuneration incentives.
2) Victoria have their Education Excellence Awards (VEEA). If each jurisdiction has their own, do they put forward overall category winners to the NEW Australian Teacher Awards. There are existing Australian Education Awards
https://www.educatorawards.com/ & the NEITA Awards too. Not all schools are supportive of individual Awards.
3) Great suggestion
4) Useful to note Victoria has recognition of service ceremony, some of the stories should be highlighted to the wider public not just on department website - https://www.vic.gov.au/recognition-service-ceremony
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 agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
5) Strongly agree with this action
6) For career changers there needs to be recognition for further supports if they are relocating spouses/families to rural and regional settings. Attracting them is one step, retaining them is another long term. Accommodation support for beginning teachers moving away from family and support networks.
7) Working with Corporate and Industry employers (deployment and placement opportunities where skills and expertise is identified).
8) Promoting these programs and any new ones are refreshing, we need to amplify these opportunities widely to the community. Attracting is one thing but ongoing retention is another, job satisfaction is key.
Suggest our Learning Institutes (Universities) try other outreach recruitment programs to encourage school students to consider this pathway. Recruitment/Course Officers visit schools and support Career Teachers and staff.
9) Australia in competition with other countries doing similar with Express Entry processes. Mindful how these express opportunities are promoted to potential applicants?
Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.
Strongly agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
10) In reference to "strengthening initial teacher education programs to deliver effective classroom ready teachers, with particular attention to teaching reading, literacy and numeracy, classroom management, cultural responsiveness, teaching students with diverse needs and working with families/carers"
We believe strongly there is not enough focus on parental engagement; family-school partnerships and teaching how to have quality relationship which is key to quality educational outcomes (Relationship based Education) https://www.parentsvictoria.asn.au/issues_category/relationship-based-education/
11) Agree - Addressing the opportunities for university students (i.e. engineering) wanting to switch to teaching (Maths/STEM) with recognition of qualifications by teacher registration regulators/authorities. Remove the barriers for those seeking to pursue teaching.
12) Strongly support co-design actions and teaching First Nation languages. As a "Know your Country" campaign ally https://www.knowyourcountry.com.au/allies we believe working together with First Nation people/organisation's is essential. In Victoria, we look to VAEAI - https://www.vaeai.org.au/koorie-language-programs-across-victoria/
Maximising the time to teach
The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.
Somewhat agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
14) Not enough detail here to understand if this funding is for (as described under action 15) - the purpose of teaching resources hubs, educational support and administration assistants to support teachers to free them up to teach?
15) Governments need to consider any research recommendations where the future of education/schooling/redesign may assist in flexible learning and teaching options. Flexible work contracts and employment conditions especially when teachers are planning and having their own families ie attractive employee benefits plan. Rebalancing the compliance and accountability measures and reporting by teachers in schools Streamlining communication demands on teachers where other school staff could be utilised to answer enquiries, assist with student individual learning and support plans. Teachers do seek professional autonomy and seek agency in learning and teaching decisions. Funding for Family Engagement Officers in Schools.
17) Good
18) Quality induction and training for these employees too.
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?
Slightly effective
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
19) Accurate forecast data is essential to prevent workforce shortages happening again.
22) Including all the required checks for suitability and fitness to teach in all jurisdictions.
23) Exit data by teachers is essential to identify the challenges they experienced in order to remedy for the future.
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 agree
Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?
25) In Victoria we have the Teaching & Leadership Academy
https://www.academy.vic.gov.au/#
The Academy supports Aspiring Leaders and also provides professional learning.
https://www.academy.vic.gov.au/initiatives/victorian-aspiring-principal-assessment-overview