WELCOME MESSAGE
From the Chair of the Board
Welcome to the new, revitalized website of the Queensland College of Teachers.
Quality teaching holds the key to the future standard of living of our society. Teaching is a challenging role, which is often not well understood by the general public, and a teacher’s work is made more complex by a rapidly changing, technological society. Queensland is fortunate to have so many committed teachers making a significant difference to students’ lives, everyday.
The QCT exists to uphold professional standards and ethics and promote the profession.
In working towards its legislated functions, the QCT has made considerable progress during its first two years. Major achievements to date include:
- Developing new professional standards for Queensland teachers, detailing the knowledge, practice and values of teachers
- Developing new guidelines for the approval of teacher education programs, based on the professional standards for teachers
- Implementing the new two-tiered disciplinary framework established under the Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005
- Developing a framework for managing complaints against teachers
- Developing a draft Code of Ethics for Teachers in Queensland
- Developing research priorities for 2007 and beyond
- Developing a Strategic Plan and a Service Charter
- Publishing a newsletter to inform teachers about registration issues and the QCT’s activities on their behalf
- Publishing a periodical Research Digest summarizing recent research on particular issues in teaching.
In 2008, the QCT plans to:
- Undertake training sessions to familiarise teachers with the Professional Standards and their implementation in QCT processes
- Implement a new process for moving from provisional to full registration
- Continue to work with higher education institutions to ensure that all preservice programs meet the QCT’s new Program Approval Guidelines
- Provide initial advice to teachers regarding continuing professional development requirements for future renewal of registration
- Develop a Continuing Professional Development framework and research a future role for the QCT in the provision of services to support teachers’ continuous professional development in relation to the professional standards
- Implement a program of activities to promote the profession, with input from a broadly representative Advisory Group of teachers and teacher educators
- Consult with teachers and other major stakeholders in education about the draft Code of Ethics for Teachers in Queensland
- Continue to work on the national scene regarding teacher education and teacher registration issues, particular through membership of the Australian Teacher Regulatory Authorities (ATRA).
I look forward to continuing to work with teachers and other education interest groups to promote this vital profession and ensure the
high standards that already exist are maintained and enhanced.
John Dewar (Professor)
Chair of the Board
Queensland College of Teachers