How the Standards and certification project have effected SbS in Lithuania

1. How the Standards and certification project have effected SbS in Lithuania

2. Program statistics • 9 Step by Step training centers • 32 Trainers • 8 Certifiers • 362 Step by Step Preschool Classrooms • 380 Step by Step Primary Classrooms

3. The main steps on the way of Teacher Certification process • Program and Teachers Standards introduced to the Step by Step teachers. • Information on Teacher Certification process disseminated through educational newspapers. • Discussions on the Standards with the educational experts from the MoE and universities organized.

4. The main steps on the way of Teacher Certification process • Pilot team of Teachers started to use Standards for their professional development needs. • Questionnaire striving identify teacher’s attitudes towards the Standards disseminated at the end of the Pilot project.

5. The Pilot Project indicated • Positive attitude of teachers, parents and schools administration towards the possibility to ensure quality in Step by Step programs through the Standards. • Deeper feeling of belonging to the Step by Step family. • Increased motivation for the professional development. • Willingness to participate in the certification process.

6. … and concerns about: • Possibility to adopt examples used in the Standards to Lithuanian culture, • Scoring system; • Objectiveness of the certifier’s judgement; • Interaction with the official teacher appraisal system.

7. The teacher appraisal system in Lithuania • Appraisal is organized by local educational authorities. • There are 4 qualification categories from junior teacher to expert teacher. • The promotion is based on length of work experience, level of education, publications, and participation in in-service courses. • Certification is compulsory every 5 years.

8. Factors that effect teacher certification • The International dimension is increasingly important in the context of Lithuanian’s accession to the European Union. • Experts from the World Bank and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) encourage MoE to aim for the Standards-based reform.

9. Factors that effect teacher certification • Strategic Guidelines for Education Development in Lithuania for 2003-2012 as well as new Law on Education identified quality assuranceas the first priority for education policy. • New National Standards have been developed this year to serve as a basis for the assessment of student learning.

10. Certification project effect SbS in positive way, because: • Reinforce the reputation of the Step by Step program as a high quality educational program. • Stimulate ongoing professional development of early childhood staff. • Serve as a well structured practical guide helping teachers deeper understand and evaluate educational process not only result.

11. Certification project effect SbS in positive way, because: • Locate professional assistance as close as possible to the teachers, ensure support system. • Help teachers to feel safe. • Ensure prospects for a better quality of life for Lithuanian’s young generation.