Queensland College of Teachers

Professional Standards

On this page:

• The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers
• Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers (Graduate Level)
• Development of the Standards
• Implementation of the Standards
• National Professional Standards

 

The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers

View and download the Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers 1.2Mb

 

The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers have been developed by the QCT for registration purposes. They describe the abilities, knowledge, understandings and professional values that teachers in Queensland schools demonstrate. The Standards celebrate, articulate and support the varied nature of a teacher's work.

The Standards lie at the heart of the QCT ’s registration and approval functions. The Standards provide benchmarks for the full registration of teachers for Queensland schools and inform a range of QCT policies and practices including:

• approval of preservice teacher education programs to manage the provisional registration of graduates from Queensland universities (see Program Approval Guidelines and Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers (Graduate level)
• the policy and process for progression from provisional to full registration
• consideration of registration for applicants who have not attained the prescribed qualifications for registration
• renewal of teacher registration
• the Continuing Professional Development Framework for teachers
• promotion of the teaching profession through raising awareness of the complex nature of teachers' work and strengthening public confidence in the profession.
  

The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers (graduate level): A guide for use with preservice teachers

The Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers (graduate level) orients the standards to graduate level and provides a guide for use with preservice teachers. The graduate orientation is reflected in the wording of the stem used for both 'knowlege' and 'practice' as well as the included components. The guide provides an important reference point and powerful resource for teachers undertaking supervision of preservice teachers.

An additional resource for supervising teachers working with preservice teachers has also been developed in the form of a Commentary and Record booklet.

Development of the Standards

The QCT's Professional Standards Committee was responsible for setting strategic direction and overseeing the development of the Standards. A writing group was appointed by the Committee to produce the draft version of the Standards.

The QCT then conducted a state-wide consultation process in 2006. The consultation included both face-to-face and written response modes and involved registered teachers and a range of key stakeholders.

All data collected in the consultation process were used to inform the final version of the Standards, which was endorsed by the Board of the QCT in December 2006.

The Queensland College of Teachers commissioned Dr Katie Makar of the University of Queensland to develop a technical paper: Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers – Processes and Debates. This technical paper documents the development of the Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. It gives the context for change and research undertaken; outlines the issues, discussion and debate; presents the initial thinking and conceptual model; and provides information about the consultation phase of the development.

Implementation of the Standards

Implementation of the Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers commenced from January 2007.

The application of the Standards is underpinned by a number of policies developed by the QCT and by the following general principles:

• registration decisions are based on the Standards
• the Standards will be applied differently at different registration junctures
• attainment of the Standards will be supported by evidence appropriate to the registration juncture
• the Standards, their application to the various registration junctures and evidentiary requirements will be subject to ongoing monitoring and review.

Employers are committed to using the QCT's Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers underpin the development of all teachers up to the point where they gain full registration.

It is important to note that whilst teachers may use a range of professional standards developed by different bodies for a range of professional purposes, these standards developed by the QCT are for teacher registration purposes.

National Professional Standards

The National Professional Standards for Teachers were endorsed by all Australian and State and Territory Ministers for Education in December 2010.

The QCT worked with the Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) in the development of the National Standards.

For 2011 the QCT’s Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers will continue to be used for teacher registration purposes in Queensland. This will include approval of preservice teacher education programs, applications for teacher registration, progressing from provisional to full registration, the Continuing Professional Development Framework and Returning to Teaching programs.

During 2011, the QCT will continue to work with AITSL to develop supplementary materials to support the implementation of the National Standards

There will be a transition period for implementation of the National Standards and teachers will be kept informed of timelines for the National Standards to be phased in for teacher registration purposes in Queensland.

For further information about the National Professional Standards for Teachers: www.aitsl.edu.au

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