Queensland College of Teachers

Returning to Teaching Program

Fully registered teachers who do not meet recency of practice will have their full registration renewed subject to a Returning to Teaching (RTT) condition. Should they wish to continue or return to teaching in a school they will be required to complete a Returning to Teaching professional development program in the 12 months before, or during the first 12 months after, returning to teaching, to ensure that their knowledge, skills and practice are up to date.

The Queensland College of Teachers has developed policy regarding the content, structure and delivery of these programs, based on the requirements of the legislation, and is currently working with potential providers. Private providers interested in developing a ‘Returning to Teaching’ program should contact the Professional Standards Unit of the QCT for further information.

Teachers must complete an approved RTT program in order for the QCT to remove the condition on their registration.

RTT programs will be offered by a range of providers and will be available in a variety of flexible modes e.g. face-to-face and/or online learning.

Content and Duration of RTT Programs

RTT programs will comprise 30 hours of engagement across five strands:

Strand A: Effective Teaching Practice
Strand B: Curriculum and Assessment Issues
Strand C: Syllabus implementation
Strand D: Policies
Strand E: Legislation

Approval of RTT Programs

Providers of RTT programs will develop programs according to the guidelines developed by the QCT and will submit programs for approval by the QCT, using the provided submission template.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need to do a Returning to Teaching program?
Who has to do a Returning to Teaching program?
What is a Returning to Teaching program?
How do I know what program to do?
Who pays for the program?
Will there be a process for recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

Why do I need to do a Returning to Teaching program?

Returning to Teaching programs assist teachers returning to classroom teaching in understanding the current curriculum frameworks, teaching and learning practices, and legislative and legal responsibilities that are central to their work with students in contemporary school settings.  Returning to Teaching programs are a requirement under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005.

Who has to do a Returning to Teaching Program?

Fully registered teachers who do not have recency of practice (have not completed 200 days of teaching in a school or other approved setting in the five year period of registration) when they renew their registration will have a Returning to Teaching condition placed on their registration when they renew their registration from the end of 2010 onwards.

What is a Returning to Teaching program?

A Returning to Teaching program is a program of professional development of approximately 30 hours. It will provide opportunities for teachers who do not have recency or practice (have not completed 200 days of teaching in a school or other approved setting in the five year period of registration) to meet the condition placed on their registration.

How do I know what program to do?

Returning to Teaching programs must be approved by the QCT. The QCT website lists all approved Returning to Teaching programs.

Who pays for the program?

If a fee is required for all or part of a Returning to Teaching program, the individual teacher is responsible for the associated costs.

Will there be a process for recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

Applications for RPL will be considered by the provider of the Returning to Teaching program, where a teacher can demonstrate relevant current knowledge and understandings against the content of a particular strand or specific topic of a strand as a result of recent learning, employment or experience.

 

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