Queensland Teachers get a Fresh Start

A world-class education system in Queensland is a step closer today with the release of the A Fresh Start strategy which aims to improve the preparation and quality of teachers for Queensland schools.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the strategy built upon the recently released Great teachers = Great results action plan and addressed the recommendations of the recent Teacher Education Implementation Taskforce report.

“We want the best outcomes for young Queenslanders and that means we need great teachers. The A Fresh Start strategy will help us achieve that by improving the preparation and quality of teachers for Queensland schools,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Our beginning teachers must be school-ready, classroom-ready and community ready and this strategy acknowledges the government’s key role in preparing teachers.

“It also commits us to actions which will ensure pre-service teachers in Queensland meet a consistent standard prior to gaining teacher registration.”

Mr Langbroek said eight initiatives addressed specific issues related to teacher supply, initial teacher education and effective mentoring and induction. Those initiatives are:

• Finding new pathways into the teaching profession
• Professional experience Partnership Agreements
• Explicit graduate expectations
• A professional experience reporting framework
• Strengthening the governance of initial teacher education programs
• An annual review of initial teacher education programs
• Professional development for mentors
• Supervision, mentoring and induction resources

Mr Langbroek said the strategy also encouraged higher education institutions to work more closely with schools and teachers to support the development of pre-service teachers.

“We need to raise standards further if we are to attract and prepare our next generation of teachers and maintain strong public confidence in our schools and teachers,” he said.

“The department has worked with the Queensland Teachers Union, Independent Schools Queensland, the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and the Queensland College of Teachers on the development of the strategy.

“We are confident the initiatives respond most appropriately to the issues experienced across all schools regardless of sector.”

The strategy and related information can be downloaded from the Flying Start website at www.flyingstart.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS] 22 July 2013

Media contact: Minister’s office 3237 1000