The Teaching Council

1. The Teaching Council Diploma in Professional Education Studies (School Planning) NUI Galway Summer School 2005 Tuesday 21 June Áine Lawlor, Director The Teaching Council

2. Outline of Presentation The Teaching Council • Background, functions, current news Other Teaching Councils • Continuing Professional Development (Wales) • Chartered Teacher (Scotland) • Teacher Learning Academy (England) The Role for School Planning

3. Context • OECD Review of Irish Education (1991) • Green Paper: Education For A Changing World (1992) • Report On The National Education Convention (1994) • White Paper: Charting Our Education Future (1995) • Report of the Steering Committee on theestablishment of a Teaching Council (1998)

4. The Teaching Council Act, 2001 An Act to promote teaching as a profession; to promote the professional development of teachers; to maintain and improve the quality of teaching in the state; to provide for the establishment of standards, policies and procedures for the education and training of teachers and other matters relating to teachers and the teaching profession; to provide for the registration and regulation of teachers and to enhance professional standards and competence

5. 37 Members of Teaching Council • 11 Primary Teachers – 9 elected, 2 union nominated • 11 Post-Primary Teachers – 7 elected, 4 union nominated • 2 nominated by Colleges of Education • 2 nominated by specified 3rd level bodies • 4 nominated by school management (2 P + 2 PP) • 2 nominated by parent associations ( 1 P + 1 PP) • 5 nominated by Minister (inc. 1 ICTU + 1 IBEC)

6. Functions of the Teaching Council • Promote teaching as a profession • Establish codes of professional conduct • Establish and maintain register of teachers • Establish procedures and criteria for registration • Determine education, training and qualifications required for registration • Review and accredit programmes of teacher education for purposes of registration • Act as designated authority for recognition of qualifications – EU and non-EU • Establish procedures in relation to induction • Establish procedures and criteria for probation continued …

7. Functions of the Teaching Council • Advise the Minister in relation to • Standards for entry to programmes of teacher training • Professional development of teachers • Teacher supply • Conduct enquiries, where appropriate, re fitness to teach • Conduct or commission research … publish • Represent teaching profession … information • Provide Minister with information as required … • Co-operate with Teaching Council N.I.

8. Other Teaching Councils • GTC Scotland (1966) – 50 members • GTC England (2000) – 64 members • GTC Wales (2000) – 25 members • GTC Northern Ireland (2002) – 33 members • College of Teachers Ontario (1997) • New Zealand Teachers Council (2002) – 11 members

9. 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 £2 Million £2.5 Million £3 Million GTCW Funding for Continuing Professional Development Professional Development Bursary – up to £600 to be spent on a professional development activity of the teacher’s choice, including visits within and outside the UKto observe good practice and exchange ideas. Teacher Research Scholarship – up to £2,500 to undertake action research on an area relevant to the individual’s or school’s development. Teacher Sabbatical – up to £5,000 to enable a teacher to undertake a prolonged period of study or develop transferable skills in a different environment. Professional Development Network – up to £8,000 to enable a group of teachers to work together on a regular basis.

10. Background to Welsh CPD Framework • Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) “The Learning Country” – CPD for all teachers - evidence-based, locally supported, recognised internationally • GTCW - “Continuing Professional Development – An Entitlement for All” (2002) - recognising different stages in a teacher’s career, linked to professional standards and professional development • WAG – “Continuing Professional Development for Teachers – The Way Ahead (2003) – accepted GTCW principles • GTCW Task Group – LEAs, Estyn, WAG

11. Professional Development Framework – Proposed 4 Strands

12. Generic Headings to Group Standards (Competences / Competencies) • Professional characteristics • Knowledge and understanding • Student progress – planning, teaching, monitoring and evaluation • Leadership and management • Communication • Developing oneself and others

13. Embeds professional development Identifies and supports teachers’ needs Recognises systematic, integrated, career structure Offers greater consistency in setting standards Helps providers to plan and monitor Promotes Good practice Outlines stages and standards Professional Development Framework Encourages recruitment and retention Encourages teacher reflection and forward planning Raises standards of teaching and learning for students Raises standing and status of the teaching profession Potential opportunities for recognition / accreditation Highlights expectations and responsibilities Highlights professional development opportunities Offers guide in performance management process

14. GTCW – Purpose of CPD Framework • Embeds professional development • Identifies and supports teachers’ needs • Recognises systematic, integrated, career structure • Outlines stages and standards • Encourages teacher reflection and forward planning • Highlights expectations and responsibilities • Highlights professional development opportunities • Offers guide in performance management process • Potential opportunities for recognition/accreditation • Encourages recruitment and retention • Promotes good practice • Offers greater consistency in setting standards • Helps providers to plan and monitor • Raises standing and status of the teaching profession • Raises standards of teaching and learning for students

15. Programme Route 12-module Masters programme with approved HE provider May get APL – up to 6 modules Accreditation Route Submitting claim for accreditation of previous experience through Portfolio (3/4 developments) Reflective Report (10,000 words) GTCS Chartered Teacher Module 1: Self Evaluation Masters degree awarded by HE Provider Chartered Teacher awarded by GTCS

16. GTCS Chartered Teacher • Eligibility • Qualified Teacher, Registered, Top of salary scale, CPD Portfolio • 77 teachers awarded Chartered Teacher status to date • 6,000+ intimations of interest received • 2,000+ actively involved at different stages • 150+ have completed Part 1(4 modules) • 90+ have completed Part 2 (8 modules)

17. GTCE Teacher Learning Academy 6 Stages • Associate • Senior Associate • Member • Senior Member • Fellow • Senior Fellow

18. TLA Stage 1- The Learning Process

19. TLA - Submission to Verifier • Contextual Statement • Rationale for focus of project • Working context • Role undertaken • Evidence • Written materials, web, CD-ROM, video and audiotape extracts, records of meetings • Reflective and analytical commentary • “Prose Approach” • Annotated planning document • Learning Journal

20. An Irish Approach • Review existing practice • Review documentation • Establish consultation process • Promote the vision • Encourage dialogue • Disseminate draft documents • Organise feedback systems • Plan, implement, review, revise

21. The Role of School Planning in Continuing Professional Development syllabi System change literacy pending change, emerging needs environment, profile traditions, numeracy School Individual career stage professional knowledge, skills, competence CPD needs languages ethos, sciences orientation student population, technology multiculturalism